GORDON  MELTON 


/J  'fti^i 


i68o. 


Nisi    Dominus    Friisti^a. 


^\\  Jtunirsilli  Jmiimrsarj 

—OF  THE— 

First  Reformed  Protestant 


Sm-tiratbt  mauht  marht 


DUTCH     CHURCH, 

OF  SCHENECTADY,  N.    }'., 

JUNE  20th  and    21st. 

(!^ni  lirarjjt  maalit  nuicljt. 
1880.; 


tfommittrf  on  |)uljlicatioii. 


WILLIAM  VAN  VUANKEN.     BAKEKT  A.  MYNDEHSE 
JACOB  W.  CLUTE.  OLIN  S.  Ll'FFMAN. 


Daily  and  Weekly  Union 
Steiini   Printing   House,    Schenuctady. 
1H80. 


Contrnts: 


I.   THE  PROCEEDINGS,   June  2oth  and  2UL 

II.   THE  SERMON,  By  the  Rev.   IVm.  Elliot  Griffis,  Pastor  of  the  Church. 

III.   HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH,   By  Professor" Jonathan  Pearson,  of 
Union  Collesre. 


f  ursrni  (Dffircrs  of  tlir  (llnml). 


WILLIAM  ELLIOT  GRIFFLS. 


Cljf  Cousistori). 


JACOB  V.   VROOMAN,  WILLIAM  VAN  VRANKEN, 

CORNELIUS  LANSING,  JOHN  VVESTINGHOUSE. 


WILLIAM   VAN  DERMOOR,  WELTON  STANFORD, 

JACOB  W.  CLUTE,  JONAS  HALLENBECK. 

C/erA  —  Welton  Stankokd. 
Treasurer  —  James   H.    Bakhyte. 


JUDSON  ^.   LAN  DON,  BARENT  A.   MYNDERSE, 

OLIN  S.   LUFFMAN,  HENRY  ROSA. 

Organist  —  Charles  E.   Kingshury. 
.SVjf/tf«  —  John  B.  Stevens. 


arijr  (irraf  oloiisistorg. 


JOHN  G.   yAN  VOAST, 
DUNCAN  McDONAI.D, 
CASPER  F.   HOAG, 
WILLIAM  VAN  VRANKEN, 
NICHOLAS  YATES, 
FRANCIS  J.  VAN  DE  BOGERT, 
GEORGE  S.   HARDIN, 
ABRAHAM  VROOMAN, 
DANIEL  VEDDER, 
CHARLES  N.   VATES, 
WILLIAM  B.  SCHERMERHORN, 
JACOB  N.  CLUTE, 
AARON  BARRINGER, 
THOMAS  H.   REEVES, 
JOSEPH  Y.  VAN  DE  BOGERT, 
JACOB  V.  VROOMAN, 

MARTIN  Deforest, 

JAMES  H.   BARHVTE, 
BENJAMIN  L.   CONDE, 


ANDREW  T.   VEEDER, 
JOHN  W.   VEEDER, 
DUNCAN  ROBTSON, 
JOHN  WESTINGHOUSE, 
WILLIAM  VAN  DERMOOR, 
E.   NOTT  SCHERMERHORN, 
JAMES  MILMINE, 
JONAS   H.  CLUTE, 
RICHARD  MARCELLUS, 
HARMON  CONSAUL. 
ALBERT  VAN  VOAST, 
ALEXANDER  THOMPSON, 
CHARLES  E.   KINGSBURY, 
JOHN  VAN  DERMOOR, 
ALBERT  VAN  VOAST,  Jr. 
CORNELIUS  LANSING, 
WELTON  STANFORD, 
JONAS  HALLENBECK, 
JACOB  W.   CLUTE. 


Icsoliitiou  of  tljc  Coiislstoru. 


At  a  ineetintr  of  the  Consistory  held  April  30th,  1880,  the 
Pastor  suggested,  Elder  Van  Vrankeh  moved,  and  Elder  Lansing 
seconded  the  motion,  that. 

On  June  2Jth  and  21st,  the  Two  Hundredth  Anniversary  of 
the  church  should  be  aiiitrojjriately  celebrated. 

Proposed  and  carried  unanimously. 

The  following  Committees  were  then  aj (pointed  l)y  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  consistory : 


Committees. 

Mp:.morial  Exhibition 
Invitation  and  Prooramme  - 
Entertainment  of  Friends 
Ushers  ----- 
Decoration        -         -         -         . 
Services  in  Holland  Lanouage 
Press      ----- 


Chairmen. 

William  Van  Vranken. 
Jacob  Vrooman. 
Jacob  W.  Clute. 
Jonas  Hallenbeck. 
Jay  Westinghouse. 
Cornelius  Lansing. 
Welton  Stanford. 


THE   PROCEEDINGS. 


Sabbath  Morning,  June  20th  1880. 

Between  the  years  1670  and  1680,  the  First  Keformed 
Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  Schenectady,  was  founded  in  the 
wilderness  of  "the  far  West,"  on  the  south  side  of  the  Moliawk 
River,  within  the  palisaded  fort  and  settlement,  founded  in  1 662, 
by  Arendt  Van  Curler  and  his  fifteen  pioneers  and  their  families. 
The  first  church  was  a  log  structure  a  few  feet  square,  with 
scarcely  enough  panes  of  glass  to  make  more  than  one  lai-gi' 
modern  window  sash. 

On  the  20th  of  June,  1880,  the  people  of  the  same  church 
celebrated  their  bi-centennial,  in  that  gothic  stone  edifice,  built 
in  the  pointed  style,  wdth  "  storied  windows  richly  dight  "  with 
the  heraldry  of  the  Dutch  Church,  which  is  the  pride  of 
Schenectady  city,  and  which  for  architectural  beauty,  has  no 
superior  in  the  denomination.  It  is  the  fifth  edifice,  the  first 
being  burned  by  the  Indians  in  1690,  the  second  and  third  in 
succession  being  outgiown,  the  fourth  being  burned  hy  fire. 
The  present,  springing  from  the  ashes  of  its  predecessor,  was 
dedicated  August  6th,  1862.  Of  its  beauty,  and  fitness,  Dr.  T. 
S.  Doolittle  has  written  iii  that  encycloj){edia  of  the  Keformed 
Church — Corwin's  "  Maiuial." 

To  celebrate  the  bi-centennial  ])roperly,  the  pastor  had  come 
with  his  sermon,  the  sculptor  with  his  chisel,  the  nnisicians  wit'i 
song,  the  ladies  with  floral  device  and  festal  evergreen,  and  the 
artist  with  his  bannei-,  motto  and  symbol.  Over  the  "  Fore- 
fathers' Door"  was  cut  and  gilded  the  jirayer  from  1  Kings  8:  .17. 
in  classic  Dutch,  "  The  Lord  our  God  be  with  us,  as  He  was 
with  our  fathers."  On  the  "  Bride's  Door,"  over  its  orange 
blossoms  were  cut  and  laid  in  gold,  "  His  baimer  over  me  was 
Love."  These  completed  the  series  of  five  Scripture  j)assages, 
chiseled  over  the  four  doors  of  the  church,  the  nuiin  entrance 
having  two. 


THE  PllOCEEDIXGS. 


Inside,  evergrt'eiis  draped  every  pillar,  and  huiij^  pendant 
from  the  lofty  peak  of  the  roof  to  the  corbels  of  the  colinnns. 
On  the  eastern  walls,  over  the  arehed  wiiulous,  were  the  historic 
mottoes  : 

I  THE  CHURCH  UNDER  THE  CROSS.  I 


NISI  DOMINUS  FRUSTRA. 


and 


EEN-D]{ACHT  MAAKT  MACHT. 


On  the  walls  next  to  the  tower  vista,  were  on  one  banner 


LEYDEN, 

UTRECHT, 

DORDRECHT, 

ANTWERP, 


surmounted  l)y  two  satin  Hags  of  Holland.  On  the  opi)Osite 
hollow,  was  an  immense  shield  eight  feet  square,  painted  with 
the  heraldic  devices  of  a  tortoise,  on  gi-een  ;  a  ])elican  feeding 
her  young  with  her  own  blood,  on  orange ;  a  lion,  on  red  ;  an 
eagle,  on  white.  These  symbolized  the  four  nationalities,  which 
in  succession  held  the  soil — the  aboriginal  Mohawk  ;  the  Dutch 
settler;  the  English  conqueror;  a:  d  the  American  possessor. 

The  ))olished  marVjles  of  the  jtuljiit.  were  covered  for  the  day, 
with  solid  banks  of  roses  and  other  lowers,  the  figures: 

I  200  I 

being  consjiicuous  in  buttercups.  On  the  left  of  the  ])ulpit  wa,s 
a  baj>tismal  bowl  made  of  white  rose-buds,  and  dedicated  to  the 
memory  of  the  12,000  children  baptised  in  the  church,  and 
whose  names  are  on  the  records.  To  the  right,  was  an  hour- 
glass in  daisies,  end)leinatic  of  ancient  })ulpit  horology,  and  the 
flight  of  the  hours  during  two  centuries,  and  in  memory  of  the 
the  18  pastors,  and  8,o00  members  of  the  church.  (Jver  tlie 
preacher's  head  in  white  roses,  was  the  shape  of  the  bell,  four 
feet  high,  which  from  1782  to  1848,  or  116  years,  had  sunnnoned 
the  people  to  church,  and  which  told  of  the  8.000  marriages 
solemnized  during  two  hundred  vears. 


THE  PROCEEDINGS. 


9 


On  immense  i)ennants,  fifteen  feet  long  and  eight  wide,  bank- 
ing the  [)uli)it,  were  tlie  names  of  the  eighteen  jiastors  of  tlic 
church  from  168-4  to  1880. 


TASSEMAKER, 
1684-90. 

FREEMAN, 
1 700-2. 

LYDIUS, 
1 702-9. 

BROWER, 
1715-28. 

ERICHZOHN, 

1728-1736. 

VAN  SANTVOORD, 
1740-52. 

VROOMAN, 

1754-84. 

SICKLES, 
1794-97. 


1784:. 

IlOJlEYJ<r.     'I 


10  THE  PROCEEDINGS. 

Of  these,  one  w.as  killed  and  burned  by  the  Indians,  and  six 
died  at  their  post  with  the  harness  on.  Seven,  or  probably  nine 
cluirches  went  out  from  this,  the  mother  church,  and  one  college 
was  born  of  her.  In  the  centre  of  the  choir,  over  the  i)ulpit  was 
the  lionored  name  of  (l)irck)  IJomeyn,  17<S4-1804,  who  was  the 
seventh  pastor  of  the  church,  and,  with  his  people,  the  founder 
of  Union  College.  Born  a  British  subject,  a  Hollander  by  blood 
and  tongue,  an  American  citizen  while  pastor  of  the  church,  the 
tiags  of  Holland,  England  and  the  United  States  were  fitly  twined 
about  his  name. 

On  that  perfect  day  of  June  20th,  1880,  radiant  with  Sabbath 
beauty,  twelve  hundred  eager  people,  nearly  all  of  Dutch  des- 
cent and  name,  filled  the  church.  The  College  President,  Rev. 
Eliphalet  Nott  Potter ;  a  former  [)astor,  Rev.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor ; 
the  ministei-s  of  two  of  the  youngest  children  of  the  church  (the 
Second  Reformed  church  of  Sclienectady,  and  the  Second  Rot- 
terdam), Rev.  E.  C.  Lawrence,  and  Rev.  Ira  Van  Allen ; 
the  oldest  minister  of  the  Refonned  church.  Rev.  Staats  Van 
Santvoord,  and  the  church's  present  pastor,  Rev.  W.  E.  Griffis, 
tilled  the  pulpit. 

The  })ews  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  puljjit  were  reserved  for 
the  members  of  the  Great  Consistory  and  visiting  clergymen. 
After  a  chant  by  the  choir,  and  the  usual  invocation  and  saluta- 
tion by  the  pastor,  the  hymn,  beginning  with  "  Before  Jehovah's 
awful  throne,"  was  sung  to  the  tune  of  Old  Hundred. 

The  eighth  chapter  of  Deuteronomy  was  read  by  Rev.  Eliph- 
alet Nott  Potter,  D.  D.,  President  of  Union  College.  Prayer 
was  offered  by  the  Rev.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor,  I).  D.,  pastor  of  the  Clin- 
ton Avenue  Reformed  church,  of  Newark,  N.  J.,  and  fonner 
minister  of  this  church  from  1849  to  18o3. 

The  Rev.  E.  C.  Lawrence  then  road  the  following  commemo- 
rative hymn  written  for  the  occasion,  by  the  Rev.  Charles  S. 
Vedder,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  the  Church  of  the  Hugenots,  Charles- 
ton, S.  C,  and  a  former  member  of  the  church  and  consistoiy. 
Three  stanzas  were  sung  by  the  congi-egation  standing,  to  the 
tune  of  "  Auld  Lang  Syne." 


THE  PUOCEEDIXGS.  n 


COMMEMORATIVE  HYMN. 


BY  A  SON  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

Our  eyes,  O  Lord,  behold  the  light  our  fathers  longed  to  see, 
When,  undisturbed  by  foes  or  fear,  their  hearts  might  worship  Thee  : 
They  found  the  pleasant  land  we  tread  a  rude  and  forest  waste. 
They  planted  here  the  sacred  seed  whose  precious  fruit  we  taste. 

They  came  from  homes  as  dear  as  ours  beyond  the  swelling  tide. 
And  thought  to  make  as  dear  homes  here  by  this  fair  river  side. 
They  bought,  with  native,  honest  faith,  the  fertile  soil  we  own, 
And  wrought  no  deed  of  wrong  for  which  their  children  must  atone. 

Thou  calledst  them  then,  O  Lord,  to  stand,  from  friend  and  help  afar 
The  lonely,  feeble  frontier-post  of  home  and  foreign  war. 
Each  house  became  a  fortress  strong,  each  house  mured  to  strife, 
And  every  hand  was  taught  to  shield  its  dearest  ones  with  life. 

Near  vrhere  we  bow,  an  humble  shrine  arose  in  love  to  Thee, 
Where  honest  hearts  kept  firm  the  faith  they  saved  beyond  the  sea, 
But  even  its  sacred  walls  were  pierced,  that  through  each  opened  seam 
Bright  weapons  thrust,   might  flash  reply  to  savage  shot  and  scream. 

Around  the  spot  where  now  in  peace  our  christian  altars  rise. 
And  happy  homes  look  up  and  smile  beneath  these  tranquil  skies, 
The  war-whoop  rang,  one  winter  night,  two  centuries  ago, 
And  lurid  flame  and  deadly  blade  flashed  in  a  Stream  of  woe. 

Thy  sun,  O  Lord  that  fatal  eye,  unwarningly  went  down, 

It  rose  to  light  a  blackened  waste,  where  stood  a  living  town, 

It  shone  oa  slaughter's  ruthless  stroke,  in  midnight  darkness  sent, 

On  pastor,  people,  church  and  homes  in  one  red  burial  blent. 

But  they,  O  Lord,  whom  thou  didst  save  to  plant  thy  standard  here, 
Their  faith  to  try,  and  steadfastness  ;  their  love  and  holy  fear, 
No  other  fear  could  daunt  nor  chill  —  no  other  love  betray, 
They  built  again  the  church  and  homes  whose  heirs  we  are  to-day. 

And  still  again,  as  needs  increase,  and  one  in  flame  ascends. 
Fair  structures  rise,  till  now  the  fifth  our  father's  faith  defends, 
Where  faithful  men,  a  lengthening  line,  have  heralded  Thy  love. 
And  countless  trustful,  happy  hearts  have  tasted  joys  above. 

Our  father's  God,  be  thine  the  praise  their  grateful  children  bring, 
Be  ours  the  strong  and  living  faith  whose  victories  we  sing  ; 
And  when  two  hundred  years  again  have  passed  their  solemn  way, 
May  worthier  lips  sing  worthier  praise  than  ours  can  sing  to  day. 


12  THE  PROCEEDINGS. 

A  thank-offering  was  then  presented  by  the  jieople,  in  aid  of 
Foreign  ^Missions  ;  those  who  preferred  contributing  towards 
tlie  erection  of  a  nieinoiial  tablet,  to  be  set  in  the  niclie  of  the 
eastern  wall  of  the  church  edilice. 

The  choir  then  sang  the  stirring  anthem  from  Haydn's 
Oratorio  of  the  Messiah  : 

"Now  elevate  the  sign  of  Judah." 

The  Historical  discourse  by  the  pastor,  from  1  Kings,  8:57, 
the  same  text  a,s  that  carved  over  the  Forefathers'  Door,  lasted 
one  hour  and  a  half.  The  close  and  eager  attention  of  the 
audience,  proved  that  it  was  not  one  minute  too  long. 

Prayer  Avas  then  offered  by  the  Kev.  Cornelius  Van  Hantvoord, 
D.D.,  of  Kingston,  X.  Y.,  a  lineal  descendant  of  the  fifth  min- 
ister of  the  church,  llev.  Cornelius  Van  Santvoord,  whose  pas- 
torate in  Schenectady  was  from  1740  to  1752. 

Recognizing  with  warm  affection  the  Scotch  element  within 
the  blood  and  membership  of  the  Dutch  church,  past  and 
present,  the  914th  hymn — a  paraphrase  of  the  90th  Psalm,  was 
sung  to  the  tune  of  Dundee. 

The  Rev.  Ira  Van  Allen,  i)astor  of  the  Second  Reformed 
Church  of  Rotterdam,  i»ronounce<l  the  benediction. 

The  audience  slowly,  and  with  a})i)arent  reluctance,  gradually 
dispersed.  Friends,  visitors  and  citizens  joyfully  lingered  for 
congratulation,  for  grateful  memories  sake,  and  for  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  imjierishable  historical  associations  of  the  edifice 
and  occasion.  * 

The  Akteunoon  Services. 

According  to  the  programme  issued,  Divine  services  in  the 
Low  Dutch  language,  commemorative  of,  and  similar  to  those 
used  in  the  first  edifice  of  the  Dutch  church,  in  the  village  of 
Schenectady,  A.  D.  1680,  were  held  in  the  church  at  four  o'clock. 
The  threatening  rain  did  not  fall,  and  the  main  auditorium  of 
the  church,  including  aisles,  and  gallery,  with  the  consistory 
room,  were  filled  with  an  audience  estimated  at  fifteen  hundred 
})ei'sons. 

According  to  the  old  custom,  the  mini'^ters,  attired  in  gowns, 
walked  from  the  pastor's  house  to  the  church,  ascending  the 
pidpit  after  silent  j)rayer.  The  Voor-lezer,  (fore-reader)  occu- 
pied the  reading  desk  in  front  of  the  pul])it,  and  the  Voor-zanger 
(l)recentor)  and  liis  Koor-helj»ers,  (choir-singers)  occu})ied  front 


THE  PROCEEDINGS.  la 

seats.  The  Magistrates  of  the  city,  (Mayor,  Common  Council, 
Supervisors  etc.,)  filled  the  reserved  seats  near  the  pulpit.  The 
Great  Consistory  had  the  i)ews  to  the  right  and  left  of  the 
minister  reserved  for  them.  Of  the  audience,  the  males  sat  on 
the  right,  or  eastern  half  of  the  church,  and  tlie  females,  on  the 
left,  or  western  half.  According  to  ancient  local  custom,  all 
bonnets,  as  well  as  hats  were  removed.  The  services,  as  meas- 
ured hy  the  liour-glass,  were  exactly  one  hour  long.  The 
programme  printed  in  Dutch  Avas  as  follows : 

2>tev  nuv. 

in  tc    • 

9kbciltt!ib|d)c  J'nfll, 

ter  berinnering  toan  en  geU}f  can  bte  in  gebruit  in  t)ct  ecrfte  S^erfgcbcum 

»an  be 
iJlcicr  iCuitfc^i?  ®creformcct&c  ©cmccntc, 

»an  l)et  bcrp    - 

Schenectada,  1680,  A.  D. 
— — ^  '•' » 

1.  93oorgebet>  en  3<^i^£*^^enfd) 

2.  ?e^en  ber  Sien  ©ebcbcn  beer  ben 

23oorle',er Dubetling  'Daniel  3Sebber 

3.  ©e^^ang  —  ..©emeenjcbap  ber  t)ei(tgen."         Cye,ongen  beer  ben 
^or^ongcr  en  ilcor  t)clper§ 

4.  (55ebeb "Demine    33anbertt'art 

5.  Se;,cn  ber  Xauatf  2lrtt!elcn  be8  gc- 

lnof'3 Cuberltng  (Scrnclini^  i^anfing 

6.  "Dant  offer  ter  ()u(pe  wan  ^o)?e  Scminatre,  >3eUanb,  'DJ^tcliigan. 

7.  ?e,^en  ber   Ijeilige  3ci)rift,  90.  '']3fa(m Teniinc  3.  Vani'ii'g 

8.  ^Vebifatie.  .Zci't  ^cr    6:16 'Denune  'i^anbera^art 

„5oo  jeijt  be  i^eere;  otaet  op  be  n^cgen  enbe  fiet  toe,  enbe 
»ragct  na  be  cube  paben,  iraer  bed)  be  geebc  ircg  ]\),  cnbc 
njanbelt  baer  in,  fee  jult  gl)  rnfte  [iiibcn  »ec^  mve  jicle." 

9.  ©ebeb Teniine    i^anberuMrt 

10.     3<^y}'^fP^'^^f Temine  5.    i^an  '5:ani»eerb 


14  THE  PROCEEDINGS. 


The  uctuivl  order  of  exercises,  was  the  following : 
Invocation,  and  Salutation,  by  the  Rev,  Herman  Vanderw  art. 
pastor  of  the  Reformed  church  of  Scotia  N.  Y. 

The  Voork'zer,  Elder  Daniel  \'edder,  of  the  Great  Consistory, 
then  read  the  Ten  Commandments. 

A  hymn,  "  The  Comnnuiioii  of  Saints,"  was  then  suntj^  by  the 
Voorzanger,  and  his  assistants,  a  choir  of  five  male  voices.  The 
singers  were,  Henry  Ramsey,  Daniel  Vedder,  Cornelius  Lansing, 
Christian  Tate  and  Charles  W.  Parks. 

The  "Twelve  Articles  of  the  Christian  Faith,"  as  they  are 
called  in  the  Holland  tongue,  (The  Apostles'  Creed)  were  then 
read  by  Elder  Cornelius  Lansing. 

After  a  statement  in  English,  concerning  the  origin  of  the 
settlement,  and  college  at  Holland,  Michigan,  a  thank-offering 
in  aid  of  Hope  College,  was  made  by  the  people. 

The  Ninetieth  Psalm  was  read  by  the  Rev.  A.  G.  Lansing,  of 
New  Salem,  N.  Y. 

The  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Herman  Vanderwart. 
The  text  was  from  Jeremiah,  6:16.  "Thus  saith  the  Lord, 
stand  ye  in  the,  way  and  see,  and  ask  for  the  old  paths,  where  is 
the  good  Avay,  and  walk  therein,  and  ye  shall  find  rest  for 
your  souls." 

So  clearly  enunciated,  so  impressively  delivered,  and  so  mani- 
festly eloquent  was  this  sermon,  that  the  whole  vast  assem- 
blage seemed  one  earnest  listener.  There  Avere  probably  as 
many  as  one  hundred  in  the  audience,  mostly  elderly  i)eople, 
who  understood  most  of  the  once  familiar  language  of  the  church 
and  city. 

The  preacher  offered  prayer  in  his  native  Holland  speech. 
The  i>astor,  the  Rev.  W.  E.  Griffis,  made  an  address  in  En- 
glish, recalling  the  circumstances  attending  the  first  settlement 
of  the  city  of  Schenectady  in  1662,  by  Arendt  Van  Curler  and 
his  fifteen  felloAv-pioneers  with  their  families.  He  showed  how 
they  bought  their  lands  and  lived  at  peace  with  the  Indians. 
After  stating  that  the  bones  of  the  first  two  generations  of  the 
settlers,  including  those  of  the  victims  of  the  massacre  of  Febru- 
ary 8th,  16!)0,  lay  unmarked  and  almost  unknown  under  the  cob- 
ble stones  of  the  pavement,  at  the  end  of  Church  on  State  street, 
formerly  called  the  "  Sti-eet  of  the  Martyrs,"  he  i)leaded  that  a 


THE  PROCEEDINGS. 


15 


monumental  stone,  or  other  memorial  should  be  erected  by  the 
citizens  of  Schenectady  to  mark  the  spot  and  keep  alive  the  mem- 
ory of  the  virtues  of  the  founders  of  the  city. 

The  benediction  was  then  pronounced  by  tlie  Kev.  Staats 
Van  Santvoord,  the  oldest  minister  of  the  reformed  church,  and 
after  our  honored  and  venerable  citizen,  Gen.  William  K.  Ful- 
ler, of  Schenectady,  the  oldest  living  graduate  of  Union  College. 


Evening  Session. 


The  Baccalaureate  Sermon  before  the  graduating  class  of 
Union  College  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor  D.D., 
after  an  historical  address  by  President  Potter,  in  which  he  gave 
a  graceful  and  forcible  account  of  the  connection  between  Union 
College  and  the  Reformed  Dutch  church  of  Schenectady.  It 
was  highly  appropriate  that  the  Baccalaureate  and  Commence- 
ment exercises  of  the  college  should  blend  with  those  of  the  bi- 
centennial anniversary  of  the  church,  as  Union  College  was  her 
child. 

Union  College  grew  out  of  the  "Schenectady  Academy," 
which  was  organized  and  V)uilt  by  the  people  of  the  Dutch  church 
in  Schenectady  in  1784,  at  the  corner  of  Union  and  Ferry  streets. 
After  ten  years  of  prosperous  life,  and  almost  wholly  through 
the  influence  of  Dr.  Romeyn  and  the  peojjle  of  the  Dutch  church 
in  Schenectady,  the  academy  secured  a  collegiate  charter. 
The  church  then  gave  in  trust  to  the  Trustees  of  Union  College, 
the  building  and  endowments  amounting  to  over  thirty  thous- 
and dollars.     The  first  connnencement  in  1797,  the  Jubilee  Ser- 


16  THE  PROCEEDINGS. 

vices  of  1845,  and  the  8oth  commencement  exercises  in  1880, 
were  held  in  the  Dutch  churcli.  P'oi-  many  years  in  the  earlv 
liistory  of  the  college  the  students  attended  the  Dutch  churcli 
services  in  a  body.  Union  College  has  educated  about  one  him- 
dred  and  thirty  ministers  of  the  Reformed  church  in  America. 

The  sermon  by  Dr.  Taylor,  a  descendent  of  Dr.  Dirck  Ro- 
meyn,  and  a  former  pastor  of  the  church,  preached  from  the 
text  1  Cliroiiicles,  \->::V2. 

"And  of  the  children  of  Issachar  which  were  ?/ien  that  had  un- 
derstanding of  the  times,  to  know  what  Israel  ought  to  do;  the 
heads  of  them  were  two  hundred  ;  and  all  their  brethren  were  at 
their  commandment." 

Of  this  able,  pertinent  and  scholarly  discoui'se,  the  editor  of 
the  Schenectady  Evening  Star  remarks  : 

"  It  showed  what  the  times  required  in  the  young  men  about 
to  go  forth  from  the  institution  to  adai)t  them  to  wield  and  in- 
fluence the  world.  What  hostile  forces  are  at  work  to  under- 
mine the  foundations  of  society.  What  weapons  are  needed  to 
rei)el  ami  counteract  them ;  and  how  young  men  may  be  fully 
furnished  to  meet  the  demands  of  their  age,  and  come  off  victo- 
rious in  the  contests  surely  to  be  waged  with  stern  antagonists  of 
whatever  type.  The  discourse  was  ingenious  in  its  conduct,  sage 
in  its  counsels,  philosophical  in  its  discriminations  and  reason- 
ings, and  pervaded  by  a  lofty,  ethical  and  religious  tone ;  all 
conveyed  v\-ith  great  earnestness  and  force  of  utterance,  which 
could  hardly  fail  of  leaving  salutary  impressions  upon  those  in 
whose  special  behalf  the  address  was  given." 

A  hymn,  and  the  benediction  by  Rev.  Staats  Van  Santvoord, 
D.  D.,  closed  the  interesting  services. 

Monday,   June    2  1st. 

According  to  the  programmes  distributed  some  days  before, 
and  sent  out  to  friends,  who  visited  the  city  for  the  purpose  of 
celebrating  with  the  i)eople  of  the  church  their  bi-centennial, 
there  was  held  a 

MEMORIAL  EXHIBITION, 
Of  Historic,  Devotional,  Literarv,  Ecclesiastical  and  Religious 

Relics  of  the  Past, 
yrom  Mojtday,  June  2ist,  at  I2  p.  in.,  to  Wednesday,  6  p.  in. 

FREE  TO    all! 

Friends,  Citizens  and  Strangers  Cordially  Invited. 


THE  PROCEEDINGS.  17 

The  rare  and  rich  collection  of  antiquities,  such  as  few  Ameri- 
can homes  can  show,  was  arranged  in  five  sections,  in  which  the 
articles  were  grouped  around  the  ])ictures  of  the  five  church 
edifices,  with  their  respective  dates,  1683-1701  ;  1702-1734  ; 
1734-1814;  1814-1861;  1862-1880.  Below  is  only  the  barest 
sketch  of  what  well  deserves  a  volume  by  itself.  In  the  angle 
between  the  Banker  screen  and  the  tower  room  door  was  an  oil 
painting  of  the  Burning  of  Schenectady  and  the  Massacre  of 
February  8th,  1690,  by  Mr.  S.  H.  Sexton,  now  owned  by  Hon. 
A.  A.  Yates.  The  baleful  scene  represented  is  Church  street, 
during  the  height  of  the  bloody  carnival.  The  house  defended 
by  Adam  Vrooman,  the  parsonage  of  Domine  Tassemaker,  and 
the  little  church  at  the  end  of  the  street,  near  the  palisades,  are 
shown  in  the  spirited  painting.  In  this  section  were  gathered 
pieces  cut,  sawed,  or  made  into  walking  canes  from  the  old  pali- 
sades ;  a  brick  from  one  of  the  first  dwellings  with  "1666"  indented 
upon  it ;  Indian  snow-shoes,  such  as  those  on  which  the  French 
and  their  allies  travelled  from  Canada  to  the  massacre ;  a  Mo- 
hawk spear  with  the  totem,  or  crest,  of  a  tortoise  embroidered 
on  its  pennant;  wood  from  the  parsonage  built  in  1691  ;  a  deed 
of  Van  Slyke  island  in  the  river  opposite  Schenectady,  signed 
by  Governor  Petrus  Stuyvesant ;  skull  of  one  of  the  victims  of 
1 690,  cloven  by  a  tomahawk ;  various  Indian  relics ;  and  church 
documents  dated  prior  to  1690,  and  many  antiquities  from 
Holland. 

In  the  second  section  was  a  picture  wrought  in  silk  embroid- 
ery, and  supposed  to  represent  the  second  edifice  of  the  church, 
which,  like  the  first,  stood  on  Martyr's  (State)  street,  at  the  end 
of  Church,  showing  the  adjoining  burying  ground,  and  the 
streamlet  long  since  filled  up,  which  ran  through  the  original 
settlement.  Among  the  attractions  of  this  group  was  a  wood- 
cut portrait  of  Domine  Bernardus  Freeman,  second  pastor  of 
the  church;  numerous  Dutch  Bibles  dated  from  1637  to  1741 
substantially  bound  in  leather  and  brass  for  family  use,  or  faced 
with  silver  chains  for  women  to  carry  to  church  ;  household  linen 
and  goods  woven  and  spun  by  the  Dutch  ladies  of  nigh  two  ccn. 
turies  ago  ;  New  Year's  cake-moulds,  silver  tankards,  si)Oon8  and 
cups  of  the  time  of  King  William  III;  the  church  records  of 
Marriage  and  Baptism  from  1691  to  1734,  and  various  Indian 
relics. 

3 


18  TIIK  I'liOCEEDIXGS. 

Section  third,  coniprisiny;  the  period  between  1734  and  1814, 
was  the  richest  and  most  interesting  of  all.  There  was  a  paint- 
ing by  Giles  F.  Yates,  of  the  old  stone  editice  built  in  1734,  with 
its  clock-tower  and  belfry ;  tlie  great  royal  charter  granted  by 
KinLC  (ieorge  II.  of  England,  with  its  huge  wax  seal  resend)ling 
a  buckwheat  cake  :  an  oil  painting  of  Doniine  Keinhart  Erich- 
zon,  then  jcistor ;  the  church  door  and  key,  the  latter  without 
a  barrel,  and  forged  on  a  bhuiksniith's  anvil ;  numerous  portraits 
and  paintings  of  the  period,  and  a  large  case  of  silver,  revolu- 
tionary tlags,  documents  and  i-elics,  loaned  by  the  Sanders  fam- 
ily of  Scotia ;  tha  tablet  stone  of  the  Schenectady  Academy ; 
many  church  books  and  i)apers  of  great  in,terest,  and  a  piece  of 
the  old  church  bell  cast  in  Holland  ;  and  a  remarkably  varied  and 
curious  array  of  table  silver,  wai'ming-pans,  hour-glasses,  door- 
knockers, porcelain,  faience,  old  blue  ware,  china,  carding  forms, 
Continental  money,  church  script,  watches,  jewelry,  and  numer- 
ous articles  of  household  and  personal  adornment,  most  of  them 
belonging  to  former  ministers  and  peoi)le  of  the  church. 

In  section  fourth  was  a  painting  of  the  fourth  church  edifice, 
built  of  brick,  and  surrounded  by  fine  trees  ;  porti-aits  of  the  pas- 
tors who  officiated  therein,  and  of  the  Kev.  Andrew  Yates,  Rev. 
Abram  J.  Swits,  and  Tayler  Lewis  ;  the  old  pulpit  seat  saved 
from  the  tire  of  1801  by  John  ]\IcNee,  the  faithful  sexton;  the 
architect's  designs ;  candle-sticks  and  lamps  from  the  old  con- 
sistory room,  and  many  other  cui-ious  and  eloquent  tokens  of  the 
past. 

In  section  fifth  everything  was  so  new  that  in  the  i)resence  of 
such  grand  and  ancient  witnesses  of  the  past  in  other  jtarts  of 
the  room,  no  description  need  be  given. 

During  the  four  days  of  the  exhibition  there  were  thousAnds 
of  gratified  and  instructed  visitors,  some  of  whom  came  again 
and  again  exiiressing  delight  and  wonder  at  the  richness  of  the 
antiquities  thus  set  forth  in  wortliy  array  to  the  i»ublic  for  the 
first  time. 

]M<  >N  DAY   A  1T1;KN<  X  )N,. 

At  4  p.  m.,  agreeably  to  the  invitation  given  frctin  tlie  i)ulijit 
the  day  before,  a  i)arty  of  about  one  hundred  gathered  inform- 
ally, with  the  pastor  of  the  church  acting  as  guide,  to  study  the 
artistic  beauties  of  the  church  edifice,  the  masterpiece  of  the  archi- 
tect, Edward  Tuckerman  Potter. 


THE  PROCEEDINGS.  IJ) 


I'he  symbolism  of  the  following  portions  of  the  edifice  was 
pointed  out  and  explained.  A  fuller  account  of  them  is  given 
in  Prof.  Pearson's  History  of  the  Church,  chapter  xii. 

1.  The  cai)itals  of  the  JJanker  screen,  the  cycle  of  the  twelve 
months  of  the  year,  and  the  love,  courtship,  union  and  jjaternal 
cares  of  the  birds  expressing  the  relations  of  mother  and  son — 
the  screen  having  been  given  by  Mr.  Gerehom  Banker,  in  honor 
of  his  mother. 

2.  The  situation  of  the  organ,  and  the  carvings  of  Jubal's  or- 
gan and  pipe  of  Pan,  wreathed  in  ivy,  on  the  corbels  at  the  base 
of  the  supports. 

3.  The  pulpit,  made  of  marbles  cased  in  walnut,  with  the 
three  orders  of  stone ;  the  foundation,  resembling  the  vellow 
earth ;  the  building  stone,  "•  polished  after  the  similitude  of  a 
palace ;"  the  gem,  or  crowning  stone.  The  colors  of  these  pol- 
ished marbles  are  respectively  variegated  yellow,  veined  green, 
and  mottled  dark  red.  They  were  imported  from  Fi-ance  and 
were  cut  from  the  Jura  Alps. 

4.  The  monograms,  inscriptions  and  carving  on  the  pulpit 
shaftlets,  scripture  foliage,  the  olive  and  palm,  with  the  text  in 
raised  letters,  "  We  preach  Christ  crucified." 

5.  The  four  triplet  windows,  and  the  stained  glass  dight  with 
the  wheat  and  grapes — the  "corn  and  Avine  "  of  the  promised  land. 

The  north  rose  window  dight  with  the  Faith,  Ho})e  and  Char- 
ity ;  the  south  rose  window  dight  with  the  coat  of  amis  of  the 
House  of  Orange;  the  two  windows  of  the  consistory  room  dight 
with  the  arms  of  the  Clute  and  Cuyler  families,  and  the  four 
tower  windows  containing  views  of  four  of  the  edifices,  were 
noticed  in  detail. 

6.  The  carved  corbels  from  which  spring  the  arched  ribs  of 
the  roof,  containing  on  their  south  faces  forms  of  folia<,''e,  such 
as  the  rose,  oak,  ivy,  clover,  paas-fiower  (hepatica),  pfingster, 
and  ideal  forms.  On  the  north  faces  of  the  corbels  are  cai-ved 
the  initials  of  the  builders  and  finishers  of  the  church  enifice, 
viz. :  architect,  master  stone-cutter,  master  mason,  master  carpen- 
ter and  master  painter. 

7.  The  symbolism  of  the  temporary  mottoes,  designs  and  flo- 
ral decorations  used  in  celebrating  the  bi-centennial  aniversary. 

8.  The  inscriptions  and  carving  over  the  fom-  doors  of  the  edi- 
fice :  Forefathers'  Door,  facing  the  east  toward  Holland,  contains 
a  text  in  gold,  from  the  Dutch  Bible,  of  which  the  English  is, 


20  THE  PROCEEDINGS. 

''The  Loril  our  God  be  with  us,  as  He  was  with  our  fathers." 
The  Door  of  the  Congregation,  or  main  entrance,  having  four 
arches,  bears  the  welcome,  "  Enter  into  His  courts  with  thanks- 
giving, ai\(l  into  his  gates  with  praise."  The  capitals  of  the 
j)orch  wrought  from  Nova  Scotia  sandstone,  resting  on  columns 
of  polished  red  granite,  are  carved  with  the  products  of  the  Mo- 
hawk valley,  hops  and  Indian  corn  ;  wheat,  rye,  oats,  and  barley ; 
broom  corn  ;  acorns  and  cone-bearing  braiiches  of  the  oak  and 
pine. 

In  the  peak  above  the  doorway  are  carved  in  monogram 
the  letters  I.  II.  D.  C,  and  on  opposite  side."?  A.  D.  1862, 
wreathed  in  folliage. 

I  K  D  C 


Over  the  Bride's  Door,  facing  the  west,  is  cut  and  gilded  the 
text  "  His  banner  over  me  was  love,"  while  two  white  shaftlets 
of  Carrara  marble  uphold  capitals  wreathed  with  sprays  of  or- 
ange blossoms  and  leaves.  The  workmanship  of  the  arch*  of 
this  door  is  probably  unique  in  America. 

Under  the  western  gate,  through  which  the  Bride's  Door  is 
approached,  is  a  stone,  the  history  of  which  is  chiseled  deep 
\\])0u  it : 


DOOR  SILL  OF  3<1  CHURCH  EDIFICE, 

1734 -LSI  4. 


The  old  threshold  still  in  a  place  of  honor,  connects  the  past 
with  the  present,  and  like  a  scarred  veteran  still  holds  the  hon- 
orable mark  of  service — the  bolt  hole. 

The  doorway  of  the  Consistory  Room,  which  is  used  also  for 
devotional  meetings,  has  this  text  cut  on  the  imposts  of  its  arch, 
"  To  show  forth  thy  loving  kindness  in  the  morning,  and  Thy 
faithfulness  every  night." 

Set  into  a  niche  in  the  rear  wall  of  the  church  is  the  tablet 
stone  of  the  fourth  edifice,  built  in  1812  and  burned  down  in 
1861.     It  is  of  white  marble,  and  appropriately  inscribed. 


THE  PROCEEDINGS.  21 

After  looking  at  the  remains  of  the  foundation  wall  of  the 
old  Consistory  Room  of  1814-1861,  and  at  the  barn  upon  the 
Benjamin  property  in  which  the  bodies  of  the  victims  of  the 
Beukeiulal  massacre,  July  18,  1748,  were  laid  for  identification, 
the  party  dismissed.  They  had  obeyed  the  sjtirit  of  the  48th 
Psalm :  "•  Walk  about  Zion,  and  go  round  about  her ;  tell  the 
towers  thereof.  Mark  ye  well  her  bulwarks,  consider  her  pala- 
ces, that  ye  may  tell  it  to  the  generation  following." 

The  promise,  amid  the  inspiration  of  the  hour  came  with  new 
force  and  beauty : 

"  P^or  this  God  is  our  God  for  ever  and  ever : 

He  will  be  our  guide  even  unto  death." 

MoxDAY  Evening. 

The  seventh  page  of  the  Programme  of  the  bi-centennial  exer- 
cises read  as  follows : 


MONDAY  EVENING.  } 


June  2ist,   i88o, 
7  o'clock. 


Of  Former  Pastors  and  Ministers 

who  have  held  membership  in  the  church,  with  members 
of  the  church  and  congregation. 

1.  Music — Anthems  and  Hymns. 

2.  Addresses  by  the  Pastors. 

3.  Reading  of  letters  of  congratulation  from  absent  mem- 
bers, friends,  and  ministers,  who  have  gone  out  from  the 
church. 

The  living  ex-pastors  of  this  church  are  the  Rev.  Julius  Seelye,  D.  D. 
(1845-185S),  now  President  of  Amherst  College  ;  the  Rev.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor, 
D.  D.,  (1849-1853),  now  pastor  of  the  Clinton  Avenue  Reformed  Church, 
Newark,  N.  J.,  the  Rev.  Denis  Wortman,  D.  D.,  (1865-1870),  Pastor  of  the 
Reformei  Church  of  Fort  Plain,  N.  V.  ;  an  I  the  Re/.  Ashbel  G.  Vermilye, 
D.  D.,  now  in  Europe. 


22  THE  PROCEEDINGS. 

In  response  to  the  above,  the  churcli  was  comfortably  filled 
with  adults,  most  of  whom  were  children  when  Dr.  Taylor  was 
their  pastor.  The  juilpit  was  occui)ie(l  by  Dr.  Taylor,  Dr.  Wort- 
man,  the  pastor,  and  the  Rev.  Horace  Stanton,  pastor  of  the 
Clinton  S(iuare  Presbyterian  church,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  who  repre- 
sented the  "  alumni  "  ministers  of  the  church. 

After  brief  devotional  exercises,  Dr.  Wortman  was  introduced, 
and  read  a  neat,  witty,  lively,  and  at  times  ])athetic  series  of 
reminiscences  that  caused  every  one  to  listen  with  delighted  at- 
tention. He  reviewed  the  time  of  his  own  i)astorate  and  the 
changes  since,  congratulated  the  church  and  pastor  on  the  pres- 
ent and  future,  described  his  predecessors,  showing  that  this 
church  during  the  present  century  had  .been  served  mainly  by 
young  men,  the  average  age  of  the  pastors  being  that  of  36 
years.  He  very  wittily,  and  at  the  same  time  pointedly,  advised 
the  church  to  secure  a  fira-proof  safe  or  rei>ository  for  the  valu- 
able papers  and  records,  and  advised  the  election  of  a  pennanent 
curator.  lie  then  grajihically  reviewed  the  course  of  the  world's 
history  (hiring  the  life  of  the  church,  and  after  a  vivid  descrip- 
tion of  the  local  life  of  two  ("cnturies  ago,  closed  with  the  old 
Dutch  New  Year's  salute,  which  in  English  is : 

"  I  Wish  you  a  Happy  New  Year — 

Long  may  you  live. 

Much  may  you  give, 

Hap])y  may  you  die. 

And  inherit  the  kingdom  of  Heaven  l»y  and  bye!" 

Dr.  Wortman's  address  was  afterwai-ds  rei)rinted  in  the  Sche- 
nectady Daily  Union,  of  July  10. 

After  a  spirited  anthem  by  the  choir.  Dr.  Taylor  followed  in 
a  congratulatory  address,  in  which  the  Horal  emblems,  the  bell, 
baptismal  bowl,  hour-glass  and  chanticleer,  the  mottoes  and 
symbols  were  all  touchingly  alluded  to  in  suggestive  phrase. 

He  dwelt  u|)on  the  lessons  of  the  occasion,  and  exhorted  the 
])eople  to  improve  the  rich  legacy  of  the  past,  and  consecrate 
themselves  more  earnestly  to  the  work  of  the  future. 

Three  stanzas  of  the  commemoration  hymn  were  sung,  and 
then  followed  the  reading  of  letters  of  love  and  congratulation 
from  the  Rev.  Julius  E.  Scelye,  I).  I).,  President  of  Andierst 
College,  Rev.  Ashbel  G.  Vermilye,  D.  D.,  former  pastors :  Rev. 


THE  PROCEEDINGS.  23 

Charles  S.  Vedder,  D.  D.,  of  Charlston,  S.  C. ;  Rev.  T.  W. 
Chambers,  D.  D.,  one  of  the  jjastors  of  the  Collegiate  (rliurcli  of 
New  York  city :  Rev.  Prof.  R.  B.  Welch,  D.  D.,  of  Auburn 
Theological  Seminary ;  Rev.  T.  Hamlin,  of  Troy,  and  Rev.  A. 
W.  Raymond,  of  Paterson,  N.  J.  The  letters  of  the  ex-pastors 
are  given  below. 

Amiikrst  Cai,i,K(;K,  A.miikrst,  Mass.,  June  10,  1880. 
Rev.  W.  E.  Gran  is  :  — 

Dear  Brother.  I  have  delayed  my  rejily  to  your  very  attractive 
invitation,  in  the  hope  that  I  might  see  some  way  open  to  accept 
it.  I  greatly  regret  to  find  this  impossible.  The  anniversary  to 
which  you  invite  me  occurs  the  week  before  our  commencement, 
and  my  college  duties  will  compel  my  presence  here  at  that 
time.  But  I  shall  be  with  you  in  heart,  and  my  thanksgivings 
and  pravers  shall  join  with  yours  in  grateful  recognition  of  the 
past,  and  in  earnest  su}»plications  for  the  future. 

All  my  memories  of  that  dear  old  church  are  tender  and  pre- 
cious. Though  I  was  the  first  of  her  Dominies  who  was  not 
born  a  Dutchman,  and  though  son^.e  people  wondered  how  such 
a  novus  homo,  as  I  was  called,  could  find  a  fit  home  in  so  vener- 
able a  household  as  the  First  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  church 
of  Schenectady,  no  one  of  her  children  could  have  had  a  more 
cordial  welcome  than  I,  and  if  the  Dutch  blood  had  fiowed  in 
my  veins  for  the  two  bundled  years  in  which  I  once  heard  our 
most  worthy  and  excellent  Judge  Sanders,  of  Scotia,  declare,  on 
the  floor  of  General  Synod,  it  had  flowed  through  his,  I  do  not 
see  how  it  could  have  given  me  any  more  intimate  relations  with 
the  elders,  deacons  and  members  of  that  church,  than  it  was  my 
high  privilege  to  enjoy.  It  was  in  the  first  year  of  my  ministry 
there  that  the  General  Synod  lefened  to  the  Classes,  who  re- 
ferred to  the  Consistories  the  question  whether  the  word  Dutch 
should  be  omitted  from  the  name  and  title  of  the  church,  and 
though  I  was  only  ecclesiastically  a  Dutchman,  I  confess  it  gave 
me  a  pleasure  when  our  Consistory  voted  with  only  one  dissent- 
ing voice  to  retain  the  historical  name,  and  had  I  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  church  Avhen,  fifteen  years  later,  the  same  jtroposition 
was  renewed  and  carried,  I  am  not  sure  but  that  I  shouhl  still 
have  preferred  the  old  name  to  the  new. 

As  I  think  of  the  house  in  which  I  preached — lacking,  in- 
deed, the  grace  and  beauty  of  the  jtresent  edifice,  but  with  a  solid 


24  THE  PROCEEDINGS. 

unobtrusiveness  and  dignity  worthy  of  the  people  wlio  buih  an(i 
worshipped  in  it — as  I  think  of  those  peoi)le,  loving,  trusting 
and  devout,  earnest  aiid  firm  in  their  convictions,  not  easily 
moved  but  dcejjly  moved  when  moved  at  all — as  I  think  of  the 
children — where  shall  I  find  their  like? — who  so  often  ran  to 
meet  me  in  the  street,  now  no  longer  children,  but  greeting  me 
as  I  return,  with  children  of  their  OMn.  As  I  look  over  the  list 
of  one  hundred  and  forty  one,  who  were  added  to  the  church 
during  the  five  and  a  quarter  years  of  my  ministry  there,  and  of 
the  thirty-eight  members  of  the  church  who,  during  that  time, 
left  the  ministrations  of  tlie  earthly  sanctuary  for  the  worship 
of  the  teni})le  not  made  with  hands ;  as  I  think  of  those  who 
since  have  gone,  and  of  those  who  have  come  until  now,  I  should 
find  almost  a  congregation  of  strangers,  Avhere  twenty-two  years 
ago  every  face  was  so  familiar, — many  words  both  sad  and  joy- 
ous come  to  my  lips  which  I  would  like  to  utter  to  the  congre- 
gation which  will  gather  on  the  21st  inst.,  to  rehearse  these  and 
other  memories  of  the  past. 

I  congratulate  the  church  on  its  long  history,  and  on  its  pros- 
pects for  the  future — brighter,  I  verily  believe,  at  the  present 
time  than  ever  before.  May  the  Lord  of  all  grace  give  to  the 
present  pastor.  His  choicest  benediction,  and  ever  lead  His  peo- 
ple there  from  grace  to  grace,  till  He  brings  us  all  into  glory ! 

Very  trulv  yours, 

JULIUS  H.  SEELYE. 

London,  May  24th,  1880. 
My  Dear  Brother  Griffis  :  —  On  reaching  London,  day  before 
yesterday,  I  found  there  your  v^ry  kind  letter  of  May  3,  inviting 
me  to  the  200th  anniversary  of  the  old  Dutch  church,  at  Sche- 
nectady. But  in  accordance  with  plans  ])ro])Osed  before  I  left 
home,  having  accomplished  the  work  for  which  I  went  to  Ant- 
werp, I  have  now  just  commenced,  with  ray  family,  a  more  ex- 
tended tour  through  Europe,  to  last  (Providence  ])ermitting), 
during  another  year.  Of  course,  the  A'enerable  occasion  with  its 
reunions  and  reminiscences,  must  go  by  without  me.  I  can  only 
send  my  most  cordial  wishes  for  the  success  of  the  anniversary 
itself,  of  your  own  ministry  as  my  successor  in  the  pastorate, 
and  a  hearty  "  God  save  and  keep  you  "  for  the  church  and  its 
people — among  whom,  whatever  changes  death  and  time  may  have 
worked,  I  still  hold  many  esteemed  friends.     Men  die,  institutions 


THE  PROCEEDINGS. 


live.  A  congregation  is  not  tlie  same  for  any  ten  years  togetlier. 
There  are  elianges  going  on,  and  which  ought  to  go  on,  continu- 
ally ;  and  no  two  pastors  do  precisely  the  same  work,  have  the 
same  difficulties  to  meet,  or  find  and  leave  a  churcli  each  just 
where  his  predecessor  did.  Your  present  200th  anniversary  will 
be  a  record  of  immense  changes.  Nevertheless  the  institution 
lives ;  these  changes  are  themselves  a  part  of  its  life ;  and  if  it 
subserve  the  purposes  for  which  it  was  intended,  there  is  no 
nobler  institution  on  earth,  nor  one  so  Avorthy  to  live  and  con- 
tinue as  a  church.  have  been  living  dui'ing  the  past  year 
among  churches  old,  splendid  in  architecture,  but  devoted  to 
bigotry,  and  which  do  not  subserve  the  moral  improvement  of 
men.  Whilst  the  old  church  at  Schenectady  has  age,  can  cele- 
brate an  unusual  age,  and  has  for  its  worship  a  building  of  choice 
architecture,  may  it  always  have  in  view  the  true  jjurpose  of  a 
church,  and  enter  upon  a  new  life  continually,  constantly  im- 
proving the  past.  May  this  celebration  be  to  you  and  yours, 
pastor  and  people,  only  a  happy  mile-stone  in  the  march  of  your 
unity,  and  progress,  and  prospei'ity.  Grace,  mercy  and  jjeace 
be  abundantly  multiplied  unto  you  all. 

Truly  and  fraternallv  yours, 

A.  G.'VERMTLYE. 

The  Rev.  Horace  C.  Stanton,  one  of  the  many  members  of 
the  church  Avho  have  entered  the  ministry,  made  an  address,  de- 
picting in  lively  phrase  his  personal  experiences  of  the  fire  of 
August  6,  1861,  which  destroyed  alike  his  father's  home  and  the 
church ;  and  in  well  chosen  words  portraying  the  past,  imi»rov- 
ing  the  lessons  of  the  hour,  he  pointed  out  the  auguries  of  the 
future. 

The  pastor  of  the  church  then  called  on  the  city  ministers  for 
their  blessing  u])on  the  church  and  people.  In  response,  the 
Rev.  Horace  G.  Day,  the  oldest  city  pastor,  spoke  eloquently  in 
unison  with  the  spirit  of  the  hour,  and  with  fervant,  christian 
charity,  scanned  the  lessons  of  the  past,  and  on  behalf  of  the 
Baptists  exhorted  the  church  to  hold  fii-mly  the  common  faith  of 
Christians. 

The  Rev.  T.  G.  Darling,  D.  D.,  of  the  Presbyterian  churcli. 

s))oke  gratefully  of  the  help  rendered  the  i)eople  of  his  church 

during  the  straits  of  their  early  history,  and  expressed  the  hope, 

after  eloquently  surveying  the  i>ast,  that  the  two  churches  might 

ever  be  one  in  faith  and  mutual  love. 

4 


26  THE  PROCEEDINGS. 

The  Kev.  E.  C.  Lawrence,  ))astor  of  the  Second  Kefonned 
cliurch  of  Schenectady,  wliich  was  organized  under  the  ministry 
of  Dr.  W.  J.  K.  Taylor,  in  1841,  then  ascended  the  pulpit. 
After  a  cordial  greeting  and  a  few  earnest  words,  Mr.  Lawi-ence 
read  the  following  letter: 
To    riiK    First    Kkfoumkd    Prote.stant   Dutch    Church   ok 

ScHKNKCTADY,    NkAV    YoRK. 

The  second  church  of  Schenectady  presents  her  \\;u-inest 
greetings  to  her  venerable  mother  on  this  glad  and  festal  occa- 
sion, congratulates  her  upon  the  success  and  j)rosperity  which 
have  marked  her  j)rogress  during  the  last  two  centuries  and  glo- 
ries in  her  noble  history,  the  long  line  of  her  able,  eloquent  and 
devoted  pastors,  in  her  stalwart  defenders  of  the  true  faith  once 
delivered  to  the  saints,  and  in  the  large-hearted  and  laud- 
able munificence  which  reared  this  beautiful  building. 

Long  may  our  beloved  mother  live,  and  every  year  renew  her 
youth  and  beauty !  Long  may  her  sj)iritual  field,  like  this 
rich  old  Mohawk  valley,  be  fat,  and  fertile,  and  flourishing,  and 
well  cultivated  !  Let  it  indeed  be  the  very  garden  of  the  Lord ! 
Let  joy  and  gladness  be  found  therein,  thanksgiving  and  the 
voice  of  melody  !  Most  honored  and  hai)py  mother,  thy  loyal 
and  loving  daughter  invokes  upon  thee  the  choicest  of  Heaven's 
blessings  and  the  continual  favor  of  Almighty  God  who  crown- 
eth  thee  with  loving  kindness  and  tender  mercies.  "With  i)roud 
and  gi-ateful  heart  thy  daughter  salutes  thee  by  the  hand  of 

Her  ])astor, 

June  21,  1880.  E.  C.  LAWRENCE. 

The  pastors  of  the  Episcopal,  Methodist  and  Congregational 
churches  not  being  present  on  a^-count  of  other  engagements, 
could  not  or  did  n(^t  resi»oiul.  The  happy  exercises  were  brought 
to  a  close  by  singing  the  hymn, 

"  Lord,  at  this  closing  hour, 
Establish  every  heart," 

to  the  approjiriate  tune  of  Denis,  the  benediction  being  pro- 
nounced by  Dr.  Taylor.  The  audience  and  speakers  then  ad- 
journed to  the  Consistoiy  Room,  where  in  infoi-mal  reunion,  and 
the  interchange  of  greetings  and  memoi-ies,  the  time  was  spent 
until  10:30  p.  m.  The  precious  collection  was  then  left  for  the 
night  in  charge  of  two  young  men. 

"  Except  the  Lord  keep  the  city,  the  watchmen  waketh  but  in  vain." 


THE  PROCEEDINGS. 


Ou  Wednesday,  June  23d,  the  8oth  commencement  exercises 
of  Union  College,  "the  child  of  the  Dutch  church  in  Schenec- 
tady," were  held  in  the  church,  the  first  being  celebrated  in  the 
old  3rd  edifice  in  1797.  In  the  addresses  of  President  Potter, 
Bishop  Doane,  and  Hon.  Chauncey  M.  Depew,  of  the  Board  of 
Regents  of  the  State  of  New  York,  frequent  and  emphatic  refer- 
ence was  made  to  the  connection  of  the  church  and  college.  In 
addition  to  the  other  decorations,  there  was  placed  in  front  of 
the  rear  gallery  a  conspicuous  welcome  to  the  Hon.  John 
Welsh,  who  delivered  the  Chancellor's  oration,  and  with  his 
party  of  fellow  visitors  represented  the  city  of  Brotherly  Love. 


Schenectady     WELCOME     Philadelphia 
1662  1880 


The  names  to  the  two  cities  stood  significantly  together. 
Their  founders,  Arendt  Van  Curler  and  William  Peiin,  both 
bought  their  lands  from  the  Indians,  lived  at  peace  with  them, 
dnd  for  the  foundations  of  the  Empire  and  Keystone  states  j)ro- 
fessed  and  practiced  principles  that  have  made  these  the  lead- 
ins:  States  of  the  American  Union. 


On  Thursday  evening,  June  25th,  the  63d  anniversary  of  the 
Sunday  School  was  celebrated  in  the  church.  It  1817  the  first 
Sunday  School  in  Schenectady  was  organized  by  the  Dutch  and 
Presbyterian  people  in  union.  Previous  to  this  members  of 
the  Dutch  church  had  engaged  in  mission  work  in  the  eastern 
pait  of  the  city  among  the  inhabitants  of  Albany  hill. 

The  exercises  consisted  of  singing  by  the  school,  "the  class 
of  1817  "  being  arrayed  in  antique  dress  of  the  })upils  of  the  early 
part  of  this  century,  and  the  presentation  of  flowers,  with  recita- 
tion of  scripture  verses  and  mottoes.  The  floral  ofi^onngs  were 
formed  into  the  date 


1  680 


After  an  address  by  the  pastor,  distribution  was  made  of  the 
abundant  baskets,  wreaths  and  boquets  of  flowers  to  some  of 
those  who  had  taken  i)art  in  the  prepai'atious  for  the  ex'ercises  of 
the  week.  As  an  expression  of  the  gratitude  and  hajipiness  felt 
by  all  the  people,  we  here  a})pend  the  names  of  some  of  the  coni- 
mittees  and  workers,  who  contributed  toward  making  the  eiitei- 
prise  with  all  its  exercises  a  unity  of  sjuccess. 


28 


THE  PROCEEDIXGS. 


COMMHTEE  ON  INVITATION,  I'KOCJRAMME  AND  ARRANGEMENTS. 

Jacob  V.   Vrooiuan,       Jacol)  W.  Clute,  W.  E.  Griitis. 


CO-MMirrEK   < 

)N    DEC 

CliauTicev  Yates, 

Mrs. 

Lyman  W.  Clute, 

Mrs. 

Oliu  S.  Luffman, 

Miss 

William  Vati  Epps, 

Mrs. 

Fred.  C.  Jacobs, 

Mrs. 

William  Schermerhorn, 

jMrs. 

Byrou  E.  Near, 

Mrs. 

Wm.  Van  Derraoor, 

Mrs. 

Louis  G.  Verbeek, 

Mrs. 

Harvey  Van  Voast, 

Mrs. 

John  E.  Myers, 

comjiittp:e  on 

vixynA 

]\Iiss  Mary  Cleary, 
Mrs.  Maxwell  Ellis, 
Miss  Anna  McXee, 
Miss  Libbie  Thompson, 


Stephen  Vedder, 
Jay  Westin<;house, 
Mary  Van  Vranken, 
Andrew  T.  Veeder, 
Olin  Luffman, 
Charles  X.  Yates, 
Welton  Stanford, 
William  Schermerhorn, 
Hern-y  J.  Clute, 
John  E.  Myers, 


Mrs.  Clay  Whitely, 
Mrs.  William  Johnson, 
Miss  Cornelia  Bond, 
Mrs.  E.  T.  Lawsing. 


COMMITTEE    ON    MOrrOES,    SYMBOI.S    AND    BANNERS. 


Jay  Westinghouse, 
Harvey  Lyon, 


Charles  X.  Yates, 
Henry  Swere. 


COMMITTEE    ON    MEMORIAL    EXHIBITION. 


William  Van  Vranken, 

Mrs.  Austin  A.  Yates, 

Andrew  J.  Barhydt, 

Miss  Cornelia  Boardman, 

Daniel  Veilder, 

Mrs.  E.  Brinton, 

W.  T.  L.  Sanders, 

Mrs.  B.  A.  Mynderse, 

Austin  A.  Yates, 

Mrs.  C.  P.  Sanders, 

G.  Lansing  Oothout, 

Miss  C.  Veeder, 

Benj.  L.  Conde, 

Mrs.  Edward  Rosa, 

Jonathan  Pearson, 

Mrs.  Maxwell  Ellis, 

J.  Vanderveer, 

Mrs.  C.  Van  Slyck, 

Cornelius  Lansing, 

Mrs.  Levi  Clute, 

Cas})er  F.  Hoag, 

Mrs.  Levi  Young, 

John  E.  Myers, 

Miss  Annie  Gleason, 

Jacob  F.  C'lute, 

Miss  Elizabeth  Yates. 

Edward  Rosa, 

THE  PROCEEDINGS. 


2!) 


0O.M:MrrTKK    on    ENTERTAIN>tENT    OF    FRIENDS. 


Jacob  W.  Clute, 
Judson  S.  Laudon, 
Henry  Rosa, 
B.  A.  Myudersc, 


Mrs.  J.  W.  Clute, 
Mrs.  J.  S.  Laiidon, 
Mrs.  Henry  Rosa, 
Mrs.  J.  H.  Burhyte. 


Jonas  Hallenbeck, 
James  Van  Voast, 
Harvey  Van  Voast, 
William  Vrooman, 
John  Juno, 
B}Ton  E.  Near, 
Fred.  C.  Jacobs, 
William  Van  Epps, 


William  Van  ]>eusen, 
William  Van  Deimoor, 
Welton  Stanford, 
Jacob  W.  Clute, 
Gulian  V.  P.  Lansing, 
Louis  G.  Verbeek, 
John  E.  Myers, 
Wm.  Schermerhorn. 


COMMITTEE    ON    DUTCH    SERVICE. 

Danniel  Vedder,  Cornelius  Lansing. 


COSIMITTEE  ON  PUBLICATION  OF  HISTORY  AND  SERMON. 


Jacob  W.  Clute, 
William  Van  Vranken, 


B.  A.  Mynderse, 
Olin  S.  Luffman. 


COMMITTEE    ON    SUNDAY    SCHOOL    ANNIVERSARY. 


C.  E.  Kingsbury, 
Levi  Young, 


Mrs.  William  Jolnison, 
Mrs.  H.  J.  Clute, 
Miss  Lou  Rosa. 


COMMITTEE  IN  CHARGE  OF  3IE>lORIAL  EXHIBITION  AT  NIGHT. 


Fred.  C.  Jacobs, 
William  Van  Epps, 
P.  T.  Brinton, 


William  H.  Young, 
James  Butler, 
Edward  S.  Vrooman. 


ORGANIST    AND    (;HOIR. 

C.  E.  Kingsbury, 


Jatnes  B.  W.  Lansing, 
J.  W.  McClellan, 


Miss  Abbie  Bander, 

Miss  Vandenl)urij. 


Schenectady,  June  21,  1880. 

Dear  Pastor :  —  We  most  heartily  thank  you  for  the  very  interesting  and  in- 
structive discourse  delivered  by  you  on  Sabbath  morning,  June  20thinst., 
upon  the  occasion  of  the  celebration  of  the  two  hundredth  anniversary  of  the 
founding  of  our  church. 

Its  publication  in  connection  with  an  account  of  the  other  exercises  of  the 
occasion,  and  with  the  history  of  the  church,  prepared  by  Prof  Jonathan  Pear- 
son, will  furnish  a  memorial  of  the  past  history  and  present  position  of  the 
church,  most  honorable  in  itself,  and  one  which  we  venture  to  hope  will  be 
carefully  preserved  by  those  whc^  shall  come  after  us,  even  after  the  lapse  of 
other  centuries. 

Permit  us  to  add  that  we  congratulate  ourselves  that  the  long  line  of  our 
learned  and  honored  pastors  rests  as  the  church  enters  upon  its  third  century 
with  one  who  so  thoroughly  understands  and  so  faithfully  portrays  the  spirit 
and  devotion  of  his  predecessors. 

Rev.  WM.  E.  GRIFFIS,  Pastor  First  Reformed  Church,  Schenectady. 

Very  truly  yours, 

MARTIN  Deforest,  c.  e.  kingsbury, 

DANIEL  VEDDER,  HENRY  ROSA, 

J.  V.  VROOMAN,  A.  A.  YATES, 

T.  H.  REEVES,  A.  FRAME, 

WM.  VAN  VRANKEN,  E.  T.  LAWSING, 

EDWARD  ROSA,  G.  L.  OOTHOUT, 

JAS.  H.  BARHYTE,  JAMES  H.  CLUTE, 

J.  S.  LANDON,  P.  FENWICK, 

J.  A.  BARHYDT,  JACOB  W.  CLUTE, 

STEWART  MYERS,  RICHARD  MARCELLUS, 

CHARLES  N.  YATES,  ANDREW  T.  VEEDER, 

WM.  CHRISLER,  C.  VAN  SLYCK, 

B.  A.  MYNDERSE,  CORNELIUS  THOMSON, 

CORNELIUS  LANSING,  CHAUNCEY  O.  YATES, 

JOHN  WESTINGHOUSE,  GEORGE  SHAIBLE, 

WM.  VAN  DERMOOR,  CASPER  F.  HOAG. 


HISTORICAL  DISCOURSE. 


^-ooo-^ 

I  Kings,  8  :  57. 
"  The  Lord  our  God  be  with  us,  as  he  was  with  our  fathers." 

It  is  with  no  trivial  thought  or  shallow  emotion,  that  we  en- 
grave these  words  in  enduring  stone  over  that  portal  of  this  edi- 
fice which  is  consecrated  to  the  memory  of  the  fathers,  and 
which  looks  toward  the  land  whence  they  came ;  that  we  choose 
them  for  the  text  of  our  memorial  discourse ;  that  we  breathe 
them  to-day  as  our  heartfelt  prayer ;  that  with  them  on  our  lips 
and  in  our  hearts,  we  survey  the  past ;  and  that  holding  them  as 
a  lamp  to  our  feet  we  step  into  the  unknown  path  of  the  future? 
and  begin  a  third  century. 

The  past  is  to  us  an  open  book,  all  inscribed  by  the  finger  of 
Prbvidence.  On  the  white  page  of  the  present  the  charactei's 
are  being  traced.  The  future  is  to  us  a  book  closed.  In  trem- 
bling hope  before  that  shut  volume,  we  pray  "The  Lord  our 
God  be  with  us,"  with  earnestness  equal  to  the  exultant  grati- 
tude with  which  we  utter  the  fact,  "  as  he  was  with  our  fathers." 

Cast  with  me  your  retrospect  over  two  centuries,  and  contrast 
the  i)resent  with  the  past ;  and  if  to-day  we  have  reason  for 
thanksgiving  that  to  us  the  lines  have  fallen  in  pleasant  ])laceS} 
and  a  goodly  heritage  is  ours,  let  us  honor  the  fathers,  who  in 
simple  virtue,  laid  the  foundations  of  this  citv,  and  in  the  faith 
once  delivered  to  the  saints,  consecrated  to  Almighty  God  their 
sabbaths,  their  sanctuaries,  themselves  and  their  children. 

Who  were  the  fathers  ?  Whence  and  why  came  they  to  this 
continent,  and  into  this  valley  —  not  then  a  teeming  highway  of 
empire,  rosaried  with  threads  of  iron  and  water,  beaded  with 
cities,  and  glistening  witli  uiniumV)ered  harvest  fields  and  happy 
homes,  but  lonely,  untilled  and  desolate,  save  as  the  Iricjuois 
broke  its  solitude?  AVhence  and  why  came  our  fathers ?  His- 
torian, poet  and  artist  tell  us  with  pride,  that  the  first  settlers  of 


32  THE  SERMOX. 


New  England  and  the  oarolinas  were  exiles  seeking  "freedom  to 
worship  God,"  and  martyrs  (hiven  l)efore  the  persecuting  sword 
"  to  found  a  faith's  ])ure  shriiK'."  Nor  do  we  deny  it.  As  citi- 
zens of  a  great  repuhlic,  we  with  tlieir  descendants  honor  tlieir 
memory,  and  will  witli  them  "call  it  holy  ground,  the  spot 
where  first  they  trod,"  though  with  more  of  truth  than  they,  we 
can  say  of  ours,  "  They  have  left  unstained  what  there  they 
found,  reedom  to  worship  God."  Yet  frankly  we  confess  it, 
without  shame  we  tell  it,  that  our  fathers  left  Holland,  and  foun- 
ded this  Empire  State  in  puisuit  of  commercial  enterprise  alone. 
The  first  settlers  of  Schenectady  entered  this  fair  valley  to  find 
what  they  had  already  left  behind  them  in  Holland. 

Why  Avere  not  the  Hollanders  })olitical  exiles  or  religious  refu- 
gees? Simply  because  they  had  no  need  to  be.  They  were 
under  no  ban,  no  pei'secution.  They  could  not  flee  from  despot- 
ism or  persecution,  for  Holland  was  already  free.  Her  i)rotest- 
ant  faith,  her  toleration  were  already  gained.  Her  Reformers, 
Gansevoort  and  Agricola  had  begun  the  Reformation  fifty  years 
before  Martin  Luther.  Guido  de  Bres  had  formed  the  Con- 
fession of  faith  which  is  still  ours,  in  1563.  The  first  martyrs, 
Esch  and  Voes,  who  were  burned  at  the  stake  at  Antwerp  in 
1523,  lighted  by  their  own  bodies  the  first  candles  of  liberty 
that  made  the  Dutch  republic  under  William  the  Silent  a  beacon 
of  liberty  that  lighted  the  world.  The  poor  people  of  Holland 
called  themselves  "The  Churches  of  the  Netherlands  under  the 
Cross,"  and  when  come  to  national  freedom,  unity  and  })Ower 
were  not  only  among  the  first  churches  of  Protestant  Europe  in 
the  Reformation,  but  were  the  first  to  accord  liberty  of  con- 
science and  toleration  of  faith.  Under  the  banners  of  the  Prin- 
ces of  Orange,  inscribed  with  the  emblem  of  a  jielican  feeding 
her  young  with  blood  fi'om  her  own  breast,  the  Hollanders  not 
only  won  liberty,  but  they  granted  it  to  others.  Even  the  Pil- 
grim fathers  found  a  home  in  Leydeii,  and  there  learned  some  of 
their  best  lessons  of  liberty  before  they  came  to  America.  That 
Holland  was  the  asylum  for  exiles  of  every  land,  one  need  only 
examine  and  analyze  the  oldest  names  of  our  own  congregation 
to  see  in  them  the  tell-tale  evidence  that  the  liberty  of  brave  lit- 
tle Holland  was  shared  by  many  nationalities.  Our  fathers 
could  not  fiy  for  liberty  or  conscience  «ake  from  the  home-land, 
for  these  they  had  already  possessed  for  nigh  a  century,  and 
these  —  religion  and  liberty,  they  brought  with  them  here. 


THE  SEKMON.  3.'i 


So  then,  by  virtue  of  historic  truth,  we  claim  for  our  fathers 
equal  renown  with  the  Pilgrims  or  the  Hugeiiots,  and  a  yet  more 
ancient  heritage  of  freedom.  With  ])ride  we  confess  it  to-day 
that  our  fathers  kindled  not  the  beacon  of  liberty  first  in  this 
wilderness,  but  already  lighted  and  burning  brightly,  tlicy  brought 
hither  the  torch  from  the  home  hearth-tire. 

On  the  shores  of  Manhattan  and  Long  Islands,  on  the  Hudson 
at  Albany  and  Kingston,  on  the  Delaware  at  New  Amstel,  the 
Hollanders  had  already  settled  with  their  churches,  j>astors  and 
schoolmasters,  when  this  valley  was  still  owned  by  the  Six  Na- 
tions of  Indians,  whose  totem  or  coat  of  arms  was  a  tortoise. 
The  Mohawks  wei-e  considered  as  dwelling  in  the  head,  as  the 
Senecas  were  in  the  tail,  and  the  other  tribes  in  the  several  feet. 
Schenectady,  or  the  place  -'  beyond  the  pine-plains,"  was  the  fre- 
quent site  of  the  council-fire  of  the  tribes,  and  the  eastern  capi- 
tal of  the  confederacy.  The  founder  of  our  city,  Arendt  Van 
Curler,  bought,  twenty-one  years  before  William  Peim,  from  the 
Mohawk  sachems,  in  1661,  the  Great  Flat  of  this  valley,  and  the 
next  year  led  a  band  of  fifteen  hardy  pioneers  with  their  fami- 
lies from  Kenssylaerwyck,  now  Albany.  Their  motive  in  leav- 
ing this  settlement  and  striking  into  the  western  wilderness  was 
to  escape  local  annoyances,  and  enjoy  a  freedom  nu)re  exactly 
like  that  of  Holland.  They  entered  the  wilderness,  jiathlesx 
then  save  an  Indian  trail  of  pine  and  sand,  Avhich  still  stretches 
in  ancient  barrenness  before  the  eye  of  the  railroad  tourist  from 
Albany,  their  goal  being  the  fertile  lands  near  us.  Reaching 
Norman's  Kill  —  that  stream  as  historic  as  Penn's  elm  tree  —  at 
which  the  Dixtch  and  the  Mohawks  in  1618  entered  into  eternal 
friendship,  the  pioneers  after  a  march  eastward  in  which  they 
had  followed  the  line  of  trees  "  blazed  "  by  the  Indians,  turned 
to  the  north,  until  they  halted  on  the  south  side  of  the  Moliawk 
river,  where  we  now  live.  The  aboriginal  name  of  the  site  cho- 
sen was  retained  in  justice  to  the  hospitable  savages.  Would 
that  this  policy  of  embalming  in  our  speech  the  ancient  birth- 
right names  of  the  great  natural  features  of  our  country  had 
been  more  generally  followed. 

Quickly  the  lands  were  allotted,  the  forest  trees  cut  down, 
the  rude  houses  built,  and  the  seeds  cast  into  the  soil.  A  stock- 
ade of  tree  trunks,  with  bastions  at  each  corner,  marked  the  i)ar- 
allelogram,  whose  sides  are  now  Washington  avenue.  Front, 
Ferry  and  State  streets,  while  Churcli  and  riiioii  crossuig  each 

5 


34  THE  SER:\I0N. 


other  at  right  angles  cut  the  settlement  into  four  squares,  which 
again  were  subdivided  into  sixteen.  Two  gates  were  built,  one 
on  F^ront  street,  near  the  river,  and  one  at  State,  opening  to- 
ward Fort  Orange,  or  Albany.  Thus,  before  the  hostile  savages 
of  Canada  could  swoop  upon  them,  a  village  had  sprung  up  in 
the  pine  woods.  The  festal  garlands  that  decorate  our  church 
to-day  were  gathered  from  trees  miles  away.  Two  centuries  ago, 
the  entire  site  of  the  city  wjis  embowered  by  them.  Church  and 
Union  streets  of  the  future  were  for  years  dotted  with  stuni})s, 
and  to  the  echoing  and  rustling  forest,  then  full  of  all  the  wild 
voices  of  nature,  the  i)eople  listened  as  they  sat  on  their  sills  or 
rude  "  stoei)s "  at  eventide,  and  every  breeze  floated  to  them 
freighted  with  the  resinous  aroma  of  the  encircling  woods.  So 
sudden  wjui  the  building  of  the  village  that  the  bear,  the  wolf, 
the  deer  and  the  wild  turkey,  and  even  the  buffalo,  surprised  on 
their  way  down  from  the  highlands  back  of  the  river,  now  called 
College,  Prospect,  and  Paige  hills,  to  drink  in  the  15inne-kill, 
were  sometimes  shot  within  the  limits  of  the  palisades.  Tlie 
river  then,  as  often  now,  was  swollen  with  the  melting  of  the 
Adirondack  snows,  and  the  magnificent  sight  of  the  flats  and 
islands  covered  with  a  sheet  of  turl)id  water,  and  receiving  their 
top-dressing  of  enriching  silk,  gave  flrst  augury  of  that  wondrous 
fertility  which  for  two  centuries  has  made  the  soil  of  the  Mo- 
hawk valley  productive  to  a  proverb. 

With  the  same  i)eaceful  disposition  as  that  much  lauded  in 
Penu  and  his  Quaker  founders  of  the  city  of  Brotherly  Love, 
the  settlers  lived  side  by  side  with  the  dusky  Mohawks.  Their 
admiration  for  the  simple,  manly  character  of  Van  Curler,  the 
founder,  led  them  for  many  years  to  address  the  governors  of 
the  Province,  both  Dutch  and  English,  as  "  Corlaer."  By  the 
name  of  the  founder,  also,  was  the  village  known  to  the  P^rench 
and  Canada  Indians  from  whom  there  was  ever  the  threatening 
teiTor  of  massacre  and  pillage.  More  than  one  description  of 
the  fort  and  hamlet  was  sent  to  the  court  beauties  and  favorites 
of  Louis  XIV,  at  Versailles,  (in  the  archives  of  which  place  they 
have  been  found),  by  the  French  officers  and  gallants  at  Mon- 
treal and  Quebec.  For  the  sake  of  wnnning  courtly  favor  at 
Versailles,  was  Schenectady  finally  destroyed  and  our  ancestors 
massacred  by  the  Frenchmen  in  Canada. 

For  eight  or  ten  years,  the  villagers  had  no  church,  l)ut  met 
occasionally  for  worship  in  private  houses,  or  were  content  with 


THE  SER^IOX. 


family  prayer  and  the  home  reading  of  tlie  scriptures  and  con- 
fession of  faith,  or  the  reading  of  a  homily  by  the  "voorlezer." 
Occasionally  one  of  the  domines  from  Albany  came  up  to  preach 
and  administer  the  sacrament,  baptize  the  children,  or  burv  the 
dead.  Or,  the  i)eople  here  would  make  a  journey  to  Albany  to 
enjoy  the  ministrations  of  religion,  which  kept  them  Christians, 
even  amid  the  toils  of  a  rough  frontier  life.  For  nearly  a  cen- 
tury Schenectady  was  the  outpost  of  colonial  civilization. 
Whether  under  the  I'ed  white  and  blue  flag  of  Holland,  or  the 
red  cross  and  lion  of  England,  they  were  equally  unprotected 
from  the  merciless  savages  both  red  and  white. 

When  was  this  church  first  organized  ?  Dr.  E.  T.  Corwin, 
the  biographer  of  the  Reformed  church  says  in  his  Manual  about 
1670.  Professor  Jonathan  Pearson,  in  his  history  of  our  church 
thinks  it  certain  that  the  church  had  an  existence  in  1674.  As 
all  the  papers  and  books  of  the  church  kei)t  by  the  first  pastor, 
Tassemaker,  were  burned  with  his  own  body  in  the  massacre  of 
1690,  perhaps  the  exact  date  will  never  be  known.  Yet  of  this 
we  are  certain,  that  as  early  as  1680  the  church  had  a  consistory 
and  stated  services  were  held  by  the  ministers  from  Albanv. 
Our  list  of  elders  and  deacons  begins  with  the  year  1680.  There- 
fore we  call  this  year  of  grace  1880,  our  bi-centennial,  although 
we  might  claim  greater  age.  The  Rev.  Gideon  Schaets,  of  Al- 
bany, organized  the  church,  and  visited  it  at  various  times  from 
the  first  year  of  the  settlement,  until  1694.  Both  our  first  pas- 
tor, Tassemaker  (or  Thesschenmacher),  and  Domine  Schaets 
were  pupils  or  adherents  of  the  fam^ous  Voetius,  who  was  Pro- 
fessor of  theology  at  the  University  of  Utrecht,  and  a  belliger- 
ant  opponent  of  the  now  extinct  sect  of  Labadists,  a  sj)ecies  of 
Quaker  Communists  (of  a  good  kind).  Two  of  these  ])eoj)le 
who  afterwards  located  colonies  on  the  Hudson  river  visited 
both  Albany  and  Schenectady,  and  revenged  themselves  on  the 
two  Dutch  d(miines  by  writing  a  pamj)hlet  in  which  they  merci- 
lessly criticized  the  style,  manner  and  doctrine  of  the  two  Voet- 
ians  Schaets  and  Tassemaker. 

Our  first  church  edifice  stood  within,  and  near  the  southern 
line  of  the  stockade,  at  the  end  of  Church  street,  on  State.  The 
parsonage  and  pasture-lot  —  for  the  early  Dutch  always  built  a 
house  for  the  domine,  as  soon  as  they  built  a  church  —  was  with 
in  the  bounds  of  the  present  chin-ch  lot   at  the  corner  of  Church 


36  tHE  SERMON. 


an<l  Union  streets,  and  was  occupied  for  this  jmrjjose  for  130 
years.  Dutcli  ministers  were  very  scarce  after  the  Eniflish  con- 
quest in  1064.  Only  one  came  from  Holland  durin<f  the 
years  from  1 062  to  1 676.  Petrus  Tasseniaker  (or  Thessclienniach- 
er),  our  first  pastor,  was  a  graduate  of  Utrecht  University,  and 
an  enthusiivstic  ])uj)il  of  Prof.  Voetius,  whose  orthodoxy  was  not 
considered  to  ]»ossess  the  exact  tint  of  true  blue,  by  tlie  only 
four  Dutch  ministers  then  in  America.  They,  liowever,  organ- 
ized a  Classis,  and  ordained  him,  so  that  our  infant  church  se- 
cured the  fruits  of  the  first  Classis  that  ever  met,  and  of  the  first 
Dutch  ordination  that  ever  took  place  in  America. 

All  that  is  known  of  our  first  pastor  in  his  relation  to  our  church 
is  that  he  was  a  good  student,  a  man  of  culture  and  travel, 
that  he  especially  disliked  the  Labadists,  and  that  he  labored  in 
the  gospel  both  for  the  Dutch  and  the  Indians  here  during  six 
years.  Within  a  few  feet  of  this  ])ulpit  stood  the  little  parson- 
age, at  the  door  of  which  the  silent  savages  and  P^renchmen  sent 
by  Frontenac  stood,  hatchet  in  hand,  on  the  midnight  of  Febru- 
ai-y  8th,  1690,  until  the  war-whoop  was  raised.  Then  a  blow,  the 
scalp  torn  off,  the  house  fired,  his  body  cast  into  the  bla- 
zing timbers,  was  burned  to  the  shoulder  blades.  His  head  was 
barbarously  carried  away  on  a  i)ike,  but  his  ashes  were  scattered 
no  man  knows  whither.  The  settlement  was  annihilated.  The 
mighty  King  of  France,  Louis  XIV,  and  his  Consort,  IMadame 
de  Maintenon,  at  Versailles,  were  told  the  full  stoiy  of  the  mas- 
acre  of  the  heretics  by  Monseignat,  and  Schenectady  became  the 
theme  of  grave  debate  in  Paris  and  London.  We  propose  to  re- 
member their  sorrows  upon  the  walls  of  this  edifice — the  church 
of  the  fathers  and  of  their  children.  To  the  memory  of  our  first 
pastor  and  his  fiock,  the  martyrs  of  1090,  we  shall  soon  erect  a 
marble  tablet  inscribed  in  letters  of  gold.  The  minister  left  no 
descendants  to  mourn  for  him,  but  many  of  the  children  in  the 
sixth  and  seventh  generation  of  the  murdered  fathers  still  live 
as  \v<)rshipi)ers  in  our  church  to-day. 

The  first  pastor  of  our  church,  like  all  the  others  until  Dr. 
Romeyn,  or  after  the  Revolution,  were  educated  in  Holland  ;  for 
the  fathers  then  and  the  children  now,  alike  demand  that  their 
ministers  be  liberally  educated.  With  the  names  of  Leyden  and 
Utrecht,  their  Alma  Matres,  as  also  with  the  fir  tree  and  pine 
and  box  together,  we  to-day  beautify  the  ])lace  of  God's  sanctu- 
ary in  which  they  ministered.     Nor  do  we  forget  Dortrecht  in 


THE  SERMON.  37 


which  the  national  synod  was  held  in  1819,  and  tlie  national 
faith  confirmed  ;  nor  Antwerp),  in  which  the  first  confessors  and 
martyrs  of  the  Dutch  church,  the  old  churcli  under  the  cross, 
lived,  and  suffered,  and  died  ;  nor  the  ancestral  motto  in  the 
mother-tongue,  "  Eendracht  maakt  niacht ;"  with  the  scripture 
word  alike  of  warning  and  cheer,  "Nisi  Dominus  frustra." 

It  was  more  than  sullen  obstinacy  and  defiant  hatred  of  their 
enemies  that  led  the  survivors  of  the  massacre — a  pitiful  rem- 
nant— to  come,  back  to  the  ashes  of  theii-  former  homes  and 
resolve  to  build  anew.  It  was  true  courage,  as  brave,  as  sub- 
lime, as  the  martyr's  heroism  or  the  warrior's  rage.  Into  this 
wilderness  they  came  to  begin  anew  their  toils,  and  to  light 
again  the  altar.fires  of  devotion.  Until  the  peace  of  Kyswick, 
in  1697,  there  was  no  safety  in  this  valley  except  behind  fortifi- 
cations, with  the  loaded  rifle  always  at  hand.  From  1694  to 
1699  the  Rev.  Godfrey  Dellius,  the  assistant  of  Domine  Schaets 
in  Albany  ministered  once  a  month  in  the  "Dorp,"  and  labored 
to  christianize  the  Indians.  After  the  declaration  of  i)eace, 
they  were  again  strong  enough  in  1700,  to  call  a  minister,  and  build 
a  new  church.  Our  second  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Bernardus 
Freeman,  a  scholarly,  christian  gentleman,  able  to  preach  in 
English  as  well  as  Dutch,  and  later  in  the  Indian  tongue.  With 
his  courteous  manners,  abilities  and  character  he  won  the  hearts 
of  Hollander  and  Mohawk  alike.  He  translated  several  books 
of  the  scriptures,  the  creeds,  and  a  portion  of  the  English  lit- 
urgy into  the  Ehglish  language.  A  volume  of  sermons,  and  one 
of  miscellaneous  writings,  and  some  of  his  translations — i)roofs 
of  a  studious  life — are  still  in  existence,  preserved  at  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J.  To  one  of  these  books  is  prefixed  his  portrait 
showing  the  author  in  the  gown,  bands  and  luxurious  wig  or 
curled  hair  of  the  period.  After  five  years  of  service  at  Sche- 
nectady Dr.  Freeman  was  called  to  Flatbush,  L.  I.,  where  a 
house  erected  by  him  is  still  standing. 

This  earnest  endeavor  of  our  Dutch  fathers  to  civilize  and 
christianize  the  Indians  deseiwes  more  than  a  passing  notice. 
There  have  been  Washington  Irvings  to  caricature,  almost  to 
indecency  ;  there  have  been  writings  to  malign  and  bigots  to 
lampoon  and  belittle  the  Dutchmen,  but  the  historian  or  essayist 
of  genius  who  will  })ortray  in  stately  and  wiiuiing  diction  their 
true  characteristics  and  show  their  virtues,  is  yet  to  arise.       ^Vll 


38  THE  SERMON. 


the  world  lias  lieard  of  John  Eliot,  of  ]Massa(!husetts,  preachiiis; 
to  the  red  man.  Pen,  j)ainting,  ])oem  and  eulogy  have  enihalnied 
his  fame  ;  yet  the  Dutch  domines  of  Alhany  began  preaching 
to  the  Indians  three  years  before  Eliot  held  his  first  service. 
Hundreds  of  names  of  geiniine  Indian  j)roselytes  are  still  <>n  the 
roll  of  our  church  and  that  at  Albany.  Our  own  fathers  looked 
upon  the  ^Mohawks  as  something  more  than  brutes,  or  creatures 
merely  fnmi  whom  money  and  beaver  skins  could  be  obtained. 
Three  of  our  own  pastors  were  missionaries  to  the  Indians.  Our 
own  church  records  show  that  hundreds  of  the  sons  of  the  forest 
were  iuHuenced  for  good.  Many  were  truly  converted  and  sat  in 
worship  with  our  fathers  in  the  old  churches  on  the  Street  of  the 
Martyrs.  There  they  partook  of  the  same  communion  together. 
There  the  Indian  pai)})00ses  were  held  in  the  arms  of  their  dusky 
mothers,  who  stood  in  beads  and  blankets,  before  the  same  bap- 
tismal font,  (whose  ancient  shaj)e  we  re]»roduoe  in  the  white 
rosebuds  of  yesterday,)  at  which  waited  the  white  lady  and  her 
infant  in  christening-quilt  of  silk  and  embroidery.  There, 
too,  the  Indian  lover  stood  with  his  Indian  bride,  and  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  in 
the  words  of  the  Christian  ritual,  vowed  to  love  and  cherish  one 
wife  in  his  wigwam  ;  and,  when  our  fathers  came  annually  to 
pay  their  pew  rent  or  sul)scrii)tions  in  beaver  skins,  the  Christ- 
ian Indians  came  also  with  like  gifts  for  the  sanctuary.  When 
the  doinine  died,  the  Mohawks  out  of  sympathy  presented  pel- 
tries and  strings  of  wampum  as  tokens  of  condolence.  We  erect 
on  our  walls  on  this  festal  day  the  heraldic  insignia,  not  only  of 
Holland,  of  Britain,  and  of  America,  the  pelican,  the  lion  and 
the  eagle,  but  also  the  tortoise,  in  remend)rnnce  of  our  Indian 
Christians  and  church  members.  Our  extant  records  shows  a 
portion  of  the  good  work  done  among  these  Iiulians,  viz.:  39 
marriages,  101  baptisms,  and  14  comnumicaiits  received  into  the 
church,  from  1702  to  1717,  and  indicate  nnu-h  good  accom- 
j)lished  in  these  fifteen  years  ;  the  records  of  the  work  of  pre- 
vious  years  being  unfortunately  lost  to  us. 

We  wonder  how  many  intelligent  Americans  who  confound 
the  geogra])hically  Low  Dutch  with  the  morally  low  "Dutch- 
men," the  Hans  Breitman  type  of  people,  Avho  never  came  from 
Holland,  or  who  fonn  their  ideas  of  the  Hollanders  from  the 
caricatures  of  Irving,  are  acquainted  with  facts  like  these  ? 


THE  SERMON.  39 


And  when  the  Mohawks  dwindled  away,  and  the  Oneidas  and 
Tuscaroras  lingered  on  their  reservations  in  western  New  York, 
this  church  assisted,  liberally,  for  many  years,  until  1880,  to 
maintain  missionaries  among  them,  under  the  aus]»ices  of  a 
society  that  was  organized  mainly  by  her  pastor,  Dr.  llomeyn, 
and  of  which  he  was  president. 

To  accommodate  the  increasing  number  of  white  worshipers 
and  Christian  Indians,  a  subscription  paper  was  circulated,  and 
a  second  church  was  built  in  1703,  on  the  siteof  the  first  edifice, 
at  the  south  end  of  Church  street,  on  State,  then  called  the 
"  Street  of  the  Martyrs."  Its  dimensions  were  oo  by  46  feet. 
It  was  probably  built  of  stone.  The  burj'ing  ground  to  the  west 
of  it,  was  15  feet  wide  and  56  feet  long.  The  first  three  edifices 
wei'e  erected  in  the  middle  of  the  street  and  were  loopholed  for 
musketry,  since  attack  from  the  Canada  French  and  Indians  was 
a  possible  event  until  the  close  of  the  French  and  Indian  war, 
in  1763.  Many  a  husband,  father  or  brother,  while  out  on  a 
trading  expedition,  canoeing  the  rivers,  or  tilling  the  soil,  fell 
before  the  hidden  foe.  A  puff  of  smoke,  a  whistling  bullet,  a 
fallen  victim,  a  yell,  a  scalp,  covert  regained,  and  all  was  over. 
A  miitilated  body  brought  home  to  a  mourning  household,  a 
funeral  in  the  little  church,  a  procession  on  foot  to  God's  acre 
on  Green  street  beyond  the  fort,  or  news  of  some  fresh  captive 
carried  off  to  Canada,  were  common  events  until  the  Revolu- 
tion. 

It  was  a  sad  day  for  the  church  and  village  when  Dr.  Free- 
man left  them,  and  for  eight  years,  except  for  the  visit  of  an 
Albany  minister  about  three  times  a  year,  there  were  no  reli- 
gious services.  From  1709  to  1715  the  Rev.  Thomas  Barclay, 
a  missionary  of  the  London  Society  for  the  propagation  of  the 
Gospel,  and  military  chai)lain  of  the  fort  at  Albany,  preached 
once  a  month,  and  read  the  PvUglish  liturgy  in  the  church,  and 
hoped  to  bring  the  villagers  into  the  English  church  ;  but  the 
Dutchmen  clung  to  their  ancestral  faith  and  ritual,  and  in  1715 
secured  a  pastor  from  Holland,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Brouwer.  Little 
is  known  of  his  life,  except  that  he  must  have  made  good  proof 
of  his  ministry,  since  he  received  108  persons  into  the  church, 
baptized  505  children,  and  married  53  couples  during  the  thir- 
teen years  of  his  service  here.  He  was  buried  under  the  i»ul)jit 
of  the  church  in  which  he  served,    and    his  dust    removed   to    a 


40  THE  SEKMOX. 


^ 


similar  place  when  the  third  church  of  1734  was  built,  and  his 
bones  now  lie  in  Vale  Cemetery.  Tii  tliis  res])ect  his  remains 
are  honored  above  those  of  his  Hock,  who  still  sleep  in  their  un- 
marked graves  beneath  the  cobble  stones  of  the  street  pave- 
ment, over  wliich  tlie  wheels  rattle,  and  the  feet  of  the  unthink- 
ing ])asser-by  tread.  Were  I  a  sou  of  Schenectady  and  a  rich 
man,  I  should  ask  from  the  city,  or  j)urchase  a  few  square  feet 
of  ground  at  the  end  of  Church  street  on  State,  where  stood  the 
first  two  cluirch  edifices,  and  beneath  which  still  lie  the  bones 
of  the  ancestors,  and  I  should  erect  in  enduring  granite  a  monu- 
ment to  the  historic  past,  aiul  to  the  memory  of  the  founders  of 
this  city  whose  dust  lies  beneath.  And  could  I  dispose  of  the 
city  funds,  I  should  prefer  to  spend  one  hundred  dollars  in  this 
method  of  permanent  adornment,  than  to  allow  five  hundred 
dollars  to  fizzle  away  in  smoke  after  the  Chinese  fashion.  Bet- 
ter yet  than  powder  or  marble,  perhaps  would  it  be  for  some 
public-spirited  citizen  to  e  rect  as  a  memorial  to  the  fathers,  a 
free  public  library.  Certainly  I  should  rejoice  if  some  one  of 
Dutch  blood,  if  not  of  Dutch  name  should  thus  worthily  honor 
the  past,  and  benefit  the  present  generation. 

Tlie  fourth  pastor  of  the  church  was  the  Rev.  Reinhardt  Erich 
zon,  a  native  of  North  Holland,  who.  like  Dr.  Romeyn,  was 
called  from  Hackensack,  N.  J.  A  man  of  more  than  ordinary 
ability,  he  was  first  president  of  the  Coetus,  the  General  Synod 
.of  that  day,  and  which  made  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
of  the  Dutch  church  in  America  from  that  of  Holland.  During 
the  eight  years  of  his  pastorate  here,  (1728-1736,)  the  royal 
charter  of  the  Church  was  })rocure(l  from  King  George  H  of 
England,  and  the  new  stone  church  on  T^'nion  and  Church  streets 
was  l)uilt.  He  was  ])robably  the  first  of  the  i)astors  who  was 
already  married  when  he  first  came  to  Schenectady.  Several 
of  his  descendants  are  still  living  in  our  congregation.  He  wa,s 
called  to  Freehold,  N,  J.,  in  which  place  we  have  been  able  to 
secure  a  ))0rtrait  of  him  which  may  be  seen  to-morrow.  Two 
hundred  and  six  persons  were  received  into  the  church  during 
his   ministry  here. 

A  subscription  for  a  new  church  with  a  clock  and  bell  having 
been  circulated,  and  sufticient  wheat  and  guilders  having  been 
subscribed,  building  began  in  1732,  and  the  church  was  dedi- 
cated Jamiary  13,  1734.  This  third  edifice,  8Ux.')6  feet,  built  of 
graywacke  or  blue  sandstone,  with  a  space  of  ten  feet  around  it 


THE  SERMON.  1 1 


for  the  funeral  cortege  to  pass  around  the  diurcli,  is  remem- 
bered by  a  few  of  the  older  members  of  the  clnirch,  whose  num- 
ber diminishes  yearly.  The  belfry  was  surmounted  by  the 
orthodox  vane  on  which  a  cock  of  St.  Nicholas,  as  became  u 
Dutch  chui'ch,  greeted  the  dayspring,  and  gave  the  direction  of 
tlie  wind. 

Within,  the  pulpit  stood  on  the  west  side,  on  a  narrow  i)edes- 
tal,  with  a  conical  sounding  board  beyond.  An  hour-glass  could 
always  be  seen  on  a  l)racket  in  front  of  the  minister,  who,  after 
he  had  consumed  one  hour  in  the  service,  reversed  the  glass  for 
the  sands  to  run  afresh.  Behold  it  on  my  left,  transfigured  in 
tiowers  !  In  front  of  the  ])ulpit  was  the  chancel  (Dophuisje) 
surrounded  by  a  railing,  within  which  the  minister  stood  while 
handing  the  bread  and  wine  to  the  communicants,  or  adminis- 
tering baptism.  In  the  service  the  men  and  women  sat  apart, 
the  men  on  raised  seats  along  the  wall,  and  the  women  in  slii>s 
or  bancken,  in  the  body  of  the  house.  Hats  or  bonnets  did  not 
trouble  the  head  of  the  women  until  after  the  Revolution,  but 
wearing  hoods  in  winter,  and  their  own  braided  hair  in  sum- 
mer, with  kerchief  over  their  shoulders,  they  sat  with  heads  un- 
covered during  services. 

In  1800  family  or  square  pews  were  first  set  a^iart.  No  such 
thing  as  a  flue  or  chinniey  Avas  visible  in  the  church  architect- 
ure, and  stoves  Avere  unknown  until  1792.  From  early  times 
the  men  Avarmed  their  hands  by  casing  them  in  their  stout  coat 
pockets.  The  women  brought  small  foot  stoves  in  their  sleighs  to 
church  in  winter,  or  had  their  husbands,  slaves  or  servants  carry 
them,  often  a  distance  of  two  or  three  miles.  Occasionally  some 
one  fainted  on  account  of  the  fumes  of  the  charcoal,  but  in  gen- 
eral gas  and  cold  alike  were  borne  without  complaint,  for  linsey 
woolsey  and  stout  lungs  were  the  fashion  then.  The  first  stoves 
erected  were  mounted  on  platforms  nearly  ashigli  as  the  gallery 
but  Avere  finally  loAvered  to  the  floor,  as  the  pliilosoi)hers  of  the 
time,  who  had  charge  of  the  stoves,  discovered  that  heat  rises. 

The  old  bell  that  for  116  years  called  Avith  its  silvery  notes 
the  people  to  worship,  was  cast  in  Holland,  by  the  renoAvned 
Johann  Albert  de  Grave,  in  1732.  Tradition  says  that  several 
pounds  of  silver  in  coin  and  plate  Avere  contributed  by  the  citi- 
zens of  Amsterdam,  as  a  missionary  offering  to  this  church  in  the 
far  off  American   Avilderness,   an<l    avciv   melted    inlo  the    bi-ll. 

(i 


42  THE  SEiniON. 


Thouf^h  weighing  only  600  pomuls,  it  gave  out,  when  rung,  such 
perfect  vibrations,  that  its  niai-\'ellously  clear  and  sweet  tones 
were  often  heard  ten  miles  up  the  valley.  Two  inscriptions 
girdled  the  bell  near  the  top,  Avhich  was  decorated  with  a  row 
of  grapes  and  leaves.  The  Dutch  legend  read  as  follows  :  "  The 
bell  of  the  Low  Dutch  congregation  of  Schenectady,  at  their 
own  re(]uest,  1732;"  the  Latin,  "  De  Grave  and  N.  Muller  of 
Amsterdam  made  me."  Li  1848.  after  116  years  of  service,  the 
beautiful  bell  was  hopelessly  cracked.  Being  removed,  much  of 
its  metal  was  recast  into  a  heavier  bell,  which,  however,  was  un- 
satisfactory. A  new  one  having  none  of  the  old  metal  in  it  was 
tinally  ])ut  up  in  the  belfry,  and  after  13  years  of  service  was 
encircled  by  the  great  fire  of  August  6th,  1861.  It  gave  one 
sad  final  note  as  it  fell,  was  melted  in  the  intense  heat,  and  ran 
in  molten  streams  on  the  ground.  Enough  of  the  old  bell  of 
1732  was  saved  to  make  thereof  a  few  clock  and  tea  bells,  which 
still  exist  in  the  congregation.  With  sweet  and  jjerfumed 
memories  of  the  old  bell,  the  skillful  fingers  of  the  ladies  have 
rejjroduced  this  morning  before  our  eyes,  its  form  in  a  trans- 
figuration of  Ijeauty.  Does  it  not  seem  to  you  on  whose  ears 
fell  the  music  of  the  old  church  l>ell,  that  out  of  the  grave  of 
bygone  days,  it  has  arisen  this  Sabbath  day,  in  the  bright  resur- 
rection of  flowers  1 

The  clock  and  clock-tower  must  have  l)een  taken  down  some- 
time during  the  last  century,  as  few  living  persons  remember 
them.  Yet  on  the  old  church  seal  used  to  stamp  documents, 
there  was  a  distinct  representation  of  it,  and  our  records  show 
that  it  was  not  only  built,  but  a  man  was  employed  to  keep  it  in 
order  for  some  years. 

It  is  interesting  to  know  that  the  church  still  possesses  among 
her  papers,  the  original  subscription  lists  for  building  each  one  of 
her  five  edifices,  except  the  first,  aiul  for  purchasing  the  bell  and 
clock.  It  has  been  with  a  thrill  of  imagination,  that  I  have  com- 
j)Osed  this  discourse,  not  from  vague  tradition,  but  from  a  study 
of  the  actual  documents,  now  time-stained  and  crumbling,  which 
were  touched  by  the  hands  of  the  fathers  of  one  or  two  cen- 
turies ago. 

Our  fifth  pastor,  after  an  interval  of  several  years,  was  the 
Rev.  Cornelius  Van  Santvoord,  a  graduate  of  Leyden,  a  bril- 
liant scholar  and  writer,  whose  works  are  still  extant,  one  of 


THE  SERMON.  43 


which  has  been  translated  by  niy  friend,  Rev.  M.  G.  Hansen,  of 
Coxsackie,  N.  Y.  He  preached  fluently  in  English,  French  and 
Dutch.  He  was  called  from  Staten  Island,  and  ministered  in 
Schenectady  twelve  years,  dyintr  January  Gth,  17a2,  at  the 
age  of  55  years.  He  was  buried  under  the  pulpit  of  the  old  8r(l 
church,  and  his  remains  now  sleep  in  Vale  Cemetery.  During 
his  ministry  151  persons  were  received  into  the  church,  645  chil- 
dren baptised,  and  174  couj)les  married.  One  terrible  event  dm- 
ing  his  pastorate  must  be  noticed  briefly. 

Scarcely  had  the  generation,  who  witnessed  the  first  massacre, 
passed  away,  when  this  church  and  village  were  j)lunged  into 
mourning  by  another  apj)alling  calamity.  On  a  sunnner's  dav, 
July  18, 1748,  a  party  of  about  forty  townsmen  went  out  to  Ben- 
kendal,  three  miles  from  this  church,  to  assist  in  raising  a  barn 
still  standing.  Hearing  the  sound,  as  they  believed,  of  the  wild 
turkey,  and  seized  with  the  hunter's  joy,  they  were  led  into  the 
dreadful  ambuscade,  and  became  the  helpless  targets  for  a  hun- 
dred French  and  Indian  rifles.  Several  were  carried  captive  to 
Canada,  and  toward  sunset  of  that  dreadful  day,  on  the  floor  of 
the  old  barn  visible  from  our  north  windows,  only  a  few  feet 
distant,  two  rows  of  the  ghastly  slain  were  laid  for  recognition 
by  their  wives  or  children.  It  was  a  sad  day  for  this  church  and 
the  village.  It  was  in  the  midst  of  alarms  like  these,  thait  our 
fathers  lived.  They  loopholed  their  church  walls,  posted  the 
sentinels  at  the  gates,  and  those  who  lived  beyond  the  ])alisadcs 
came  to  church  with  their  rifles  on  their  backs  and  powder-horn 
at  their  side. 

For  three  yeai-s  after  the  death  of  their  pastor  the  church  was 
shepherdless.  It  is  a  tax  on  the  imagination  for  us  at  the  pres- 
ent time  to  realize  how  difficult  it  was  in  those  days  to  procure 
a  minister.  Our  fathers  insisted  that  he  must  have  a  Univei-sity 
education,  in  Hollan<L  None  but  one  trained  up  in  the  Dort- 
recht  theology  would  do,  and  the  expense  and  trouble  of  settling 
a  minister  were  very  great.  The  expense  of  his  passage  jvcross 
the  ocean,  and  freight  and  carriage  of  himself  and  his  goods 
must  be  paid  to  his  2)lace  of  destination.  If  a  church  called 
away  a  minister  before  a  certain  number  of  years  had  ela])sed 
they  must  pay  to  the  consistory  half  the  money  it  cost  them  at 
first.  Besides  this  a  parsonage  must  be  built,  and  so  it  happened 
that  to  call  and  settle  the  next  minister,  it  cost  this  church   foi- 


44  THE  SEinfOX. 


passage  and  freight  only,  $563.  In  addition  to  this,  they  tore 
down  the  old  parsonage  erected  ahout  1691,  and  V)uilt  another 
one  a  story  and  a  half  high  with  many  gables  like  steps.  This 
stood  inside  our  present  lot  until  1814,  w  hon  it  made  way  for 
the  fourth  church  edifice. 

Tlic  Itcv.  Barent  Vrooman,  tlie  sixth  pastor  was  born  in  Sche- 
nectady, and  Wfis  a  descendant  of  one  of  our  former  elders, 
grand  Achim  Vrooman,  who  defended  his  home  at  the  corner  of 
Front  and  Church  streets  so  bravely  during  the  massacre.  Bar- 
ent  Vrooman  after  ]trc;iching  a  few  months  in  the  region  of  New 
Paltz,  where  he  laid  the  corner  stone  of  a  church  still  standing, 
came  to  Schenectady  when  29  years  of  age,  and  served  the 
church  during  thirty  years,  amid  all  the  distractions  of  the 
French  and  Indian  wars,  and  the  Revolution.  He  was  six  feet 
four  inches  high,  of  connnanding  figure,  very  kind  to  the  poor, 
benevolent  and  sociable,  fluent  in  delivery,  and  active  in  the 
church  at  large.  His  peo})le  were  very  devoted  to  him,  and  he 
gave  his  best  years  to  them,  until  he  dropped  dead  with  palsy. 
There  is  not  much  sentiment  in  ledgers  and  cash  books,  nor 
pathos  in  receipt  books,  but  I  confess  to  have  been  deeply  moved 
in  comparing  the  bold,  strong  signature  of  the  young  Barent 
Vrooman  of  30,  and  the  same  sign-manual  in  trembling,  crooked 
lines  of  Barent  Vroomaii  in  his  old  age.  During  his  long  pas- 
torate he  baptized  3,521  children,  married  383  couples,  and  re- 
ceived 453  members  into  the  church. 

For  113  years  after  the  founding  of  the  village,  there  was  no 
other  church  excei)t  the  Dutch  in  this  ]>lace,  thougli  several 
English  families  lived  here  as  early  as  1710.  In  1735  the  Epis- 
copal church  was  organized,  but  it  was  not  until  1762  that  a 
small  stone  edifice  was  erected,  in  which  the  Scotch  and  English 
worshipped  alternately.  Like  a  good  Dutch  church,  it  bears  on 
its  weathervane  the  cock  of  St.  Xichola-*.  Xor  were  any  of  the 
Reformed  churches  in  this  county  or  Classis  organized  until  near 
the  close  of  the  last  century,  except  that  of  Nlskayuna,  at  which 
services  were  held  as  early  as  1740,  the  first  pastor  being  a 
Mohican  Indian.  It  will  be  thus  understood  why  the  ministers 
of  this  church  were  kej»t  so  busy  in  marrying  couples  and  bap- 
tizing children.  All  the  Dutch  families  in  the  county  were 
adherents  to  this  one  church,  and  other  nationalities  availed 
themselves  of  the  services  of  the  domines  here.     Our  record  of 


THE  SERMON.  i:, 


baptisn\s  and  marriages,  except  during  the  ten  years  of  tlie 
revolutionary  period,  are  quite  com[)lete,  from  the  year  1691, 
those  before  the  massacre  having  been  burned  in  the  first  par- 
sonage. These  records  are  extremely  valuable,  and  should  be 
placed  beyond  all  danger  of  loss  by  fire.  From  them  Prof.  Pear- 
son compiled  his  valuable  genealogical  Avork  on  "The  First 
Settlers  of  Schenectady  and  their  descendants,"  and  also  the 
History  of  this,  our  church,  soon  to  be  publislied ;  and  what  is 
more,  never  received  one  penny  for  his  labor  of  love.  Scarcely 
a  week  ])asses  but  that  the  church  records  are  consulted  to  estab- 
lish personal  identity,  legal  questions,  pensions  and  other  finan- 
cial claims,  and  historical  facts.  Inquirers  come  or  write  from 
Canada,  Texas,  California,  and  along  the  Mohawk  and  Hudson 
vallies.  The  citizens  and  the  church  alike  are  interested  in  see- 
ing these  memorials  preserved.  A  tire-proof  safe  is  greatly 
needed. 

The  church  that  to-day  celebrates  her  20r)!:h  anniversary  is 
the  mother  of  nine  Reformed  churches  and  of  Union  College. 
Every  one  of  the  Reformed  churches  in  the  Classis  of  Schenec- 
tady owes  more  or  less  of  their  first  beginning  to  this  church. 
They  are  her  children,  ste})children  or  grandcliildi'eii,  and  the 
two  churches  of  Glenville,  the  two  of  Rotterdam,  l^rincetown, 
and  the  2nd  Church  of  this  city  sprang  directly  from  us,  and  in 
several  instances  were  liberally  aided.  Union  College  now  in 
her  85th  year,  is  the  child  of  this  church.  To  the  Rev.  Dirck 
Romeyn,  our  seventh  })astor  this  city  owes  grateful  memory,  for 
having  given  it  the  first  impulse  to  systematic  public  education. 
Of  all  the  names  of  men  to  whom  Schenectady  is  indebted,  I 
know  none  more  worthy  of  honor  than  that  of  Dirck  Romeyn. 
A  prince  and  a  leader  in  the  Reformed  church,  an  exemplar  of 
Christianity,  a  i)ublic-S}»irited  citizen  of  large  ideas,  the  com])an- 
ion  of  statesmen  and  men  great  in  knowledge,  action  and  cliar- 
acter,  his  reputation  was  national  as  well  as  local.  He  took  the 
lead  in  this  state  in  the  su})j)ort  and  jjatronage  of  classical  learn- 
ing, in  securing  the  freedom  of  the  Dutch  church  in  America 
from  that  of  nollaiid,  with  the  aid  of  Livingston,  in  writing 
her  constitution,  and  establishing  her  Theological  Seminary — the 
oldest  in  America — and  in  organizing  the  foreign  missionary 
work,  for  all  christians.  His  exjierience  during  the  Revolution — 
the  time   that  tried  men's  souls — broadened  his  whole  nature. 


46  THE  SERMON. 


He  was  born  a  British  citi/en,  was  by  language  and  lineage  a 
Dutchman,  l»ut  wIrmi  with  us  an  American,  and  died  under  the 
stars  and  strii)es.  And  these  three  national  colors  we  fitly  en- 
twine around  his  name.  He  looked  to  the  future,  not  to  the 
past.  He  gently  but  earnestly  won  the  i»eo]ilo  from  dead  issues, 
and  bade  them  step  on.  He  taught  them  that  they  were  Dutch- 
men no  more,  but  Americans,  and  that  the  language  so  dear  to 
the  lessening  number  of  greyheaded  fathers,  nuist  be  abandoned 
for  the  future  speech  of  this  nation  and  continent.  Yet  in  all 
rounds  of  his  busy  life  he  was  an  humble  christain,  and  a  faith- 
ful preacher  of  Christ's  gospel.  His  tomb  we  to-day  garland 
with  flowers,  and  his  name  we  wi'ite  in  letters  of  gold,  and  2>lace 
it  in  the  centre  of  the  illustrious  dead  because  we  believe  him 
to  have  been  the  best  and  ablest  of  all  our  pastors.  After  serv- 
ing this  church  for  twenty  years,  he  fell  asleep  in  Christ,  April 
16th,  1804.  His  sepulchre  and  that  of  his  honored  consort  are 
with  us  in  Vale  Cemetery.  During  hisministry  the  church  hav- 
ing expanded  to  its  largest  size,  and  having  484  members  on  it 
roll  and  a  congregation  of  2,500,  employed  an  assistant,  the  Rev. 
Jacob  Sickles,  from  1794  to  1797,  and  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Meier, 
1803-1806.  Both  of  these  young  men  were  graduates  of  the 
Theological  Seminary,  in  which  Dr.  Romeyn  wasj^rofessor.  The 
first,  while  here,  accepted  a  call  to  Coxsackie  ;  then,  after  three 
years,  he  went  to  Kinderhook,  where,  after  laboring  34  years, 
he  died,  in  1845.  iMr.  Meier,  after  three  years  of  jjromising  life 
and  seiwice  here  died  of  consumption,  and  wasbui-iedat  Albany. 
During  the  pastorate  of  Dr.  Romeyn,  in  addition  to  all  his  other 
labors  he  married  945  couples,  (nearly  one  a  week),  baptized 
3,541  children,  (nearly  177  a  year,  over  3  a  week),  and  received 
248  persons  into  the  church.  To  him  also  we  owe  the  careful 
revision  and  ])reservation  of  the  church  records.  He  was 
the  last  of  the  line  of  preachers  in  Dutch.  He  him- 
self often  i)reaclied  in  English,  settled  the  battle  of  the 
tongues,  and  persuaded  the  ])eoi)le  to  realize  that  they  were  no 
longer  Dutch,  Scotch  or  English,  but  for  all  times  Americans  ; 
and  that  as  such  they  could  honor  the  fathers  and  the  traditions 
of  the  })ast,  yet  be  none  the  less  American  christians.  As  head 
of  the  educational  institutions  of  this  city,  Union  College  unites 
with  us  in  honoring  the  memory  of  one  who  Avas  the  embodi- 
ment of  Christian  unity,  and  as  the  leader   of  the   church,  the 


THE  SERMON.  47 


founder  of  the  college.  And  here  charge  us  not  with  vain  boast- 
ing, if  we  publish  a  fact  which  is  so  far  forgotten  in  this  town, 
as  to  be  fresh  news  to  many,  yet  wliich  the  records  of  tlie  church 
and  college,  in  paper  and  chiseled  stone  prove,  and  of  whicli  at 
the  semi-centennial  of  the  college  in  1845,  copious  mention  was 
gratefully  made.  At  Dr.  Romeyn's  instance,  under  his  influence 
and  chairmanship,  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  was  called  in  1784, 
to  build  an  Academy  which  was  to  become  a  College.  Twenty- 
seven  out  of  the  thirty-one  citizens  who  signed  the  agreement 
and  subscribed  handsomely  were  elders,  deacons,  members  or 
worshippers  in  this  church.  Our  church  built  the  Academy 
that  stood  on  the  north-west  corner  of  Ferry  and  Union  streets. 
After  ten  years  of  prosperity,  and  through  the  prominent  influ- 
ence of  Dr.  Romeyn,  aided  greatly  by  the  late  Governor  Yates, 
the  charter  of  Union  College  was  obtained.  There  may  even 
be  some  still  living  who  remember  the  evening  of  February,  1 795, 
when  the  brick  Academy  building  on  Ferry  street  was  illumina- 
ted with  candles  which  were  lighted  all  at  once  by  signal,  while 
the  bell  on  the  roof  kept  pealing  merrily,  and  the  rooms  were 
full  of  happy  boys,  and  the  streets  were  crowded  with  sympa- 
thizing people,  as,  with  the  charter  received  from  the  Legisla- 
ture, the  academy  was  merged  into  the  college.  And  how  then 
did  our  people  act  ?  In  true  Christian  liberality  of  spirit  and 
heart  they  gave  over  to  the  Trustees  of  Union  College,  the 
building  and  endowments  worth  at  least  thirty  thousand  dollars. 
Although  people  of  Dutch  decent,  loyal  to  the  faith  of  their 
fathers,  they  did  not  make  it  a  Reformed  Dutch  College.  This 
they  had  already  at  Xew  Brunswick.  But  they  gave  this  city 
a  Union  College,  and  with  their  money,  and  prayers,  and  anx- 
ious thought  they  nourished  it  during  its  infant  years.  There 
has  been  more  than  one  fling  at  the  Dutchmen  of  this  town,  but 
the  epithets  "  stingy,"  "ignorant,"  "  bigoted."  cannot  fairly  belong 
to  them,  nor  ought  the  city  or  the  college  ever  foi-get  what  this 
church  has  ever  done  for  them.  As  one  who  is  proud  to  be  a 
successor  of  Dirck  Romeyn,  and  to  minister  to  the  children  of 
the  founders  of  Union  College,  I  can  only  say  to  the  President 
and  officers  of  the  College,  "Kee})  alive  in  belief  and  practice 
the  principles  of  the  founders." 

As  we  enter  into  a  summary  of  this,  the  iiinteenth  century, 
and  dwell  upon  facts  within  the  memory  of  some  still  living,  I 


48  TIIK  SEKMOX. 


must  be  l)rief  aliuost  to  iiijustico.  Tlu'  tciitli  jtastor  of  this 
c'hurcli  was  tlie  Kcv.  Cornelius  IJogiinlusa  j>uj)il  of  ])r.  Koineyn, 
and  a  graduate  of  our  Theological  iSeniiuary  ;  for  since  the  Rev- 
olution the  churches  no  longer  sent  to  Holland  for  their  pastors, 
and  the  English  language  was  everywhere  in  use  in  tlie  jiulpits. 
Mr.  Bogardus,  though  ajyroinisiiig  young  man,  lived  but  fourvears 
in  the  ministry  at  Schenectady,  dying  like  his  predecessor,  Meier, 
of  consumption.  December  1.5,  1812,  at  the  age  of  32.  Yetduring 
these  four  years,  he  received  into  the  chufch  157  mendjers, 
baptized  444  children,  and  joined  in  marriage  117  couj)les.  He 
was  the  last  minister  who  preached  even  occasionally  in  Dutch, 
and  tlie  last  who  officiated  in  the  old  stone  church  ;  for  already 
in  1805.  the  plan  of  building  a  new  edifice  was  agitated,  but 
not  till  Dec.  3rd,  1812,  were  the  contracts  signed  for  a  new 
brick  building.  There  being  no  more  French  or  Imlians  to  fear, 
the  edifice  was  built  back  from  the  street.  The  old  parsonage 
was  demolished  to  make  room,  the  old  church  torn  down,  iuid  a 
handsome  and  fashionable  looking  edifice  of  brick  stared  at  the 
old  folks  with  suspicious  newness,  aiul  rejoiced  the  young  ones 
Uvith  its  smart  modern  look,  Other  innovations  must  have  made 
(some  of  tlie  old  heads  shake,  for  the  sexes  were  not  separated  as 
of  old,  and  family  pews  were  introduced.  Indeed,  it  nearly 
'broke  the  hearts  of  tlie  aged  folks  to  have  them  leave  the  build- 
ing, and  instead  of  demolisliing  it  at  once,  it  was  taken  down 
piecemeal.  Need  I  describe  the  old  fourth  church  ?  You  remem- 
ber it  far  better  than  I,  who  from  documentary  and  hearsay  evi- 
dence only  can  describe  it.  The  memories  of  childhood  and  of 
dear  ones  gone,  and  of  glorious  privileges,  and  grand  singing 
aiul  i»recioiis  seasons  of  revival  and  grace  sanctify  that  old 
church  to  many  of  you.  Those  who  never  saw  it,  may  be 
told  that  it  seated  about  H)[)  ]>eoj)le,  had  three  aisles,  and  gal- 
leries on  three  sides,  24  square  pews  along  the  walls,  and  72  in 
the  middle  blocks.  Its  organ  and  chandeliers  were  the  gift  of 
Nicholas  Vander  Volgen,  and  were  beautiful,  tasteful  and  ser- 
viceable. On  the  20th  of  November,  1814,  the  last  services 
were  held  in  the  old  stone  church,  which  for  oightv  years  had 
re-echoed  the  voices  of  P^richzon,  Van  Santvoord,  Vrooman. 
Romeyn,  Sickles,  Meier  and  Bogardus,  in  which  many  a  historic 
personage  of  the  Revolution  worshii>i)ed,  in  which  the  first  com- 
mencement of  Union  Colle<;e  was  hehl.  and  the  students  in  their 


THE  SERIMOX.  49 


gowns,  in  seats  along  the  wall,  were  regular  Morsliijipers.  Tears 
for  the  old,  smiles  for  the  jiew  church  mingled  togetlier.  The 
Rev.  Andrew  Yates  preaclied  morning  and  afternoon.  On  the 
following  Sabbath,  the  new  church  was  dedicated,  and  the  Rev. 
Eliphalet  Nott  preached  twice.  For  47  years  this  edifice  stood, 
until  the  fire  of  August  6th,  1861,  when  by  "the  act  of  God," 
this  people  Avere  called  again  for  the  fifth  time  to  erect  a  new 
edifice  to  his  glory. 

With  that  fourth  church  building  is  associated  inseparabl}- 
the  memory  of  the  Rev.  Jacob  Van  Yechten,  who  held  the  long- 
est pastorate  in  the  history  of  this  cluirch,  who  under  God  Mas 
the  instrument  of  reaping  the  richest  spiritual  harvest,  who  in- 
troduced needed  reforms,  and  brought  back  the  qualifications 
for  baptism  and  membership  to  the  Bible  standard.  Our  elev- 
enth pastor.  Van  Vechten,  was  a  graduate  of  Union  College, 
and  for  many  years  one  of  its  active  trustees.  He  began  his 
pastorate  here  January  8th,  1815,  serving  faithfully  and  labori- 
ously until  March  6,  1849,  during  which  time  910  members  were 
received  into  the  church.  Of  retired  and  studious  liabits,  suffer- 
ing under  infirmity  for  many  years,  he  aimed  to  j)urify  the  churcli, 
and  to  promote  spiritual  and  experimental  rather  than  formal 
religion.  It  had  been  the  custom  before  him  to  bajjtize  all  chil- 
dren whether  of  godly  or  ungodly  parentage,  legitimate  or  ille- 
gitimate. Dr.  Van  Vechten  required  the  scripture  test  of  faitli 
and  experience.  Instead  of  receiving  at  the  conninmion  table 
all  who  could  recite  the  Heidleberg  Catechism,  he  taught  that 
only  those  who  had  experienced  the  renewing  power  of  repent- 
ance and  g7-ace  should  be  members  of  Christ's  ch\n-ch.  Honor 
to  this  faithful  man's  name.  Perhaps  better  than  in  his  latter 
life  he  himself  would  have  believed,  he  illustrated  the  truth,  that 
progress  is  possible,  even  in  so  conservative  a  thing  as  re- 
ligion, and  in  such  an  institution  as  the  Dutch  church. 

The  next  bishop  of  the  church  at  Schenectady,  the  tAvelfth 
in  tnie  a])Ostolical  succession,  was  the  Rev.  W.  J.  R.  Taylor, 
who  has  a  D.  D.  at  the  end  of  his  name  that  means  something. 
He  shall  have  short  notice  here,  for  he  shall  sjteak  for  himself  as 
baccalaiireate  preacher  this  eveniiig.  Our  twelfth  jiastor  will, 
we  hope  recall  some  of  the  memories  of  his  life  lu-ve  to-moroAv 
night.  He  has  held  more  than  one  honored  post  in  the  church 
and  Christian  world  since  he  left  us,  and  he  comes  now  fresli 


50  THE  SERMON. 

from  General  Synod  with  the  laurels  of  a  Christian  Statesman 
upon  his  brow.  We,  as  a  church  and  people  agree  with  him 
that  no  test  of  church-membership  save  that  which  Christ  im- 
posed should  bind  the  conscience  of  a  Christian  man.  Do  not 
our  own  consistory  records  show,  that  be  lie  oj)posedto  all  secret 
societies,  or  be  he  a  free-mason,  or  be  he  odd  fellow,  or  be  he  what 
he  will,  so  that  ha  is  a  servant  of  Christ,  he  shall  sit  with  us  at 
the  coni:nuniou  table  and  be  our  brother  in  the  Lord ;  while  we 
at  the  same  time  hold  Christ  and  his  church  supreme  over  all 
huiiiaii  claims  or  institutions.  My  elder  brother,  be  your  life 
lung,  }our  faith  strong,  and   your  good  works  many ! 

Nor  can  I  speak  at  length  of  our  next  pastor,  thirteenth  on  the 
roll,  whom  we  almost  fear  will  be  made  Pi-esident  of  the  United 
States,  and  who  has  been  made  willy-willy  a  member  of  Congress 
at  the  expense  of  a  })0stage  stamp.  The  President  of  Amherst 
College  remembers  with  happy  emotions  that  you  were  his  only 
people  and  this  church  his  only  pastoral  lore.  He  preached  first 
here  May  22nd,  1853,  and  according  to  a  way  you  have  since  re- 
peated, you  gave  him  a  unanimous  call  nine  days  afterward. 
Like  four  or  five  of  your  jiastors,  he  obtained  a  good  wife  in  Al- 
bany. Though  a  Yankee  born,  you,  sons  of  Dutchmen,  loved 
him  as  your  own  blood.  After  five  years  of  faithful  labor,  in 
which  among  other  good  things,  he  taught  you  to  double  your 
contributions  to  benevolence  and  be  all  the  happier  for  it,  he 
left  you  to  become  the  Professor  and  College  President  he  was 
born  to  be.  Whether  before  a  congregation,  a  college  class  of 
students,  a  conclave  of  Ja[)anese  statesmen,  of  Hindoo  j)uiidits, 
or  United  States  Congressman,  he  incarnates  the  best  i)rinciple8 
of  Christianity,  liberal  scholarship,  and  American  institutioiis. 
Long  life  and  God's  blessing  to  Julius  Seelye. 

Our  fourteenth  ])astor,  Edward  Eli  Seelye,  was  a  graduate  of 
Union  Colh'ge,  and  received  two  calls  to  this  chuich,  the  latter 
of  wliicli  ])(■  accepted.  He  was  installed  Nov.  1st,  1858,  and 
after  serving  three  years  in  the  old  brick  church,  saw  its  destruc- 
tion, and  then  a]»plied  himself  with  the  consistory  and  people  to 
a  delicate  and  arduous  task,  that  of  erecting  this  splendid  edifice. 

He  lived  to  see  the  glorious  dream  of  that  i)oet-architect, 
Edward  Tuckerman  Potter,  actualized  in  stone  and  wood.  Nor 
must  we  ever  forget  that  this  splendid  cathedral,  in  which  18 
bishops  of   the  New  Testament  sort  have  had  their   seats,  was 


1 


THE  SERMON.  51 


honestly  and  generously  brought  to  its  jterfection  under  the 
superintendence  of  Casper  F.  Hoag  and  Martin  DeForost,  witli 
the  other  members  of  the  Building  Committee.  The  only  fault  I 
find  in  the  details,  is  that  a  meaningless  arrow  was  ]>utu]i()n  the 
spire,  instead  of  that  emblem  which  historically  l)etits  a  Dutch 
church  as  it  does  none  other,  the  cock  of  St.  Nicholas,  the  sym- 
bol of  life  and  resurrection,  of  the  soul  greeting  the  dawn  liwht 
of  heaven  after  the  night  and  darkness  of  death.  After  preacl;- 
ing  the  dedication  sermon,  and  enjoying  for  one  year  the  inspir- 
ing beauty  of  this  church,  he  was  stricken  down  with  the  onlv 
sickness  of  his  life,  and  died  in  August,  1864.  A  mighty  soldier 
of  God  in  the  pulpit,  powerful  Avith  jjcn  and  presence,  he  was 
the  man  for  the  crisis  through  which  this  church  was  called  to 
pass.  He  made  sinners  tremble  and  saints  rejoice.  His  mem- 
ory is  honored  among  you,  nor  will  the  remembrance  of  his 
nigged  strength  alike  of  intellect  and  physical  frame,  and  of  his 
kindly  heart,  soon  fade  from  among  yon.  Like  seven  other  pas- 
tors of  this  church,  Tassemaker,  Erouwer,  Van  Santvoord,  Vi'oo- 
man,  Romeyn,  Meier  and  Bogardus,  he  died  at  his  post  with  the 
harness  on.     He  loved  God,  and  never  feared  the  face  of  man. 

Of  our  fifteenth  minister,  Denis  Wortman,  need  I  speak  to 
you,  who  love  him  so  ?  Of  his  gentle  life,  his  pure  example,  his 
loving  heart  and  sjinpathetic  nature  ?  No.  I  have  no  need. 
His  memoiy  is  yet  fresh  in  your  minds,  and  he  himself  will  be 
with  us  in  the  flesh  and  spirit  also  to-morrow  evening.  God 
bless  the  gentle  and  the  genial  christian  Denis  Wortman. 

Nor  does  the  spirit  of  this  hour,  dedicated  as  it  is  to  the  past, 
allow  me  to  speak  at  length  of  another  living  pastor  of  the 
church,  the  Rev.  Ashbel  G.  Vermilye.  All  the  other  ])astors  of 
this  church,  except  Julius  Seelye,  were  of  Holland  bii-th  or  de- 
scent. Our  sixteenth  pastor  rei>resented  "  The  Hugenot  P^leinent 
in  the  Reformed  Church,"  who  under  the  protection  of  our  fathers 
sought  refuge  and  freedom  in  America  with  them.  Like  Vroo- 
man  and  Romeyn,  his  tall  and  commanding  form  was  seen  as 
that  of  a  leader  and  counsellor  in  Classis  or  Synod.  He  was 
always  Avilling  and  ready  to  do  routine  legislative  work,  from 
which  most  pastors  shrink.  After  five  years  in  Schenectady  he 
resigned,  and  accepted  the  charge  of  the  American  chajjcl  at 
Antwerp,  in  Avhich  field  he  has  been  eminently  successful.  He 
has  sent  us  a  letter  of  love  and  congratulation  which  we  shall 


52  THE  SERMON. 


read  to-morrow  night.  The  next  pastor  whom  you  called  is 
perluvps  the  only  one  of  the  eighteen  ever  installed  within  the 
church  edifice. 

"  And  what  shall  I  more  say  ?"  Is  it  necessary,  it  this  inspir- 
ing hour,  to  enter  into  details  concerning  that  which  hath  been 
acconi[)li8hed  in  the  centuries  flown?  Of  the  12,000  children 
baptized  by  our  pastors  here,  since  the  first  child  born  in  the  for- 
tified village  was  presented  at  the  baptismal  font?  The  rose- 
buds that  transfigure  before  us  the  silver  bowl  are  not  so  numer- 
ous as  the  invited  children  of  the  Saviour,  wlio  have  lived  and 
died  within  our  pale,  Shall  I  recount  the  3,000  couples  who 
hand  in  hand,  before  God  and  their  pastors,  have  plighted  their 
love  to  each  other,  and  their  faith  in  God?  Let  this  bell  to-day 
with  its  bloom  and  fragrance  vibrate  afresh  the  sweet  memories  of 
our  own  past  lives,  who  have  received  the  nuptial  benediction,  and 
let  it  awake  to  our  imagination  the  throng  of  hapi)y  lives  and 
homes  lighted  by  connubial  love,  which  glow  like  living  pic- 
tures, in  the  ])ast. 

Need  I  speak  in  detail  of  the  3,500  members  who  made  their 
vows  and  consecration,  and  have  sat  with  joyful  hearts  at  the 
sacramental  table?  Shall  I  tell  of  the  rai)ture  of  communion  en- 
joyed in  Christ's  banqueting-house,  by  those  who  have  dwelt 
under  his  banner  of  love  ?  Let  this  hour-glass,  fashioned  as  it 
is  out  of  daisies,  tell  us  alike  of  the  daisies  that  have  bloomed  on 
the  graves  of  those  who  sleep  in  Christ,  and  of  the  golden  hours 
of  love  and  gladness  spent  by  them  in  the  house  of  God.  Already 
we  have  called  up  from  the  past  the  five  edifices,  and  the  eigh- 
teen pastors  who  have  served  this  church.  Shall  I  narrate  how 
seven  colonies  went  out  from  this  church  to  become  the  Classis 
of  Schenectady ;  or,  again,  how  Union  College  was  born  of  and 
nourished  by  her?  Shall  I  conjecture  that  her  wealth  spent 
for  congregational  purposes  probably  amoimts  to  $600,000,  and 
that  her  benevolent  contributions  equal  ))erhaps  $100,000? 
Shall  I  remind  you,  to  show  you  that  the  church  still  lives  in 
strength,  of  her  two  Mission  Schools  on  Prospect  hill  and  Water 
Street?  Or,  of  her  four  huiulred  members,  her  well  atten- 
ded devotional  meetings,  and  her  active  Sabbath  schools.  ? 

It  is  not  on  these  we  dwell  to-day,  nor  of  these  do  we  make 
boast.  Not  unto  us  be  the  glory  !  If  we  have  aught  of  joys  to- 
day, thitt  is  our  chief ;  that,  supreme  above  all,  we  have  for  two 


THE  SERMON. 


53 


centuries  preached  and  believed  in  "Jesus,  the  saviour  of  men." 
Withal  of  human  infirmity,  shortcoming  and  loss,  we  yet  believe 
that  to  our  fathers  from  Holland,  there  was  given  of  God 
as  large  a  measure  of  trutli,  as  was  ever  vouchsafed  to  any 
church  or  body  of  people  called  Christians.  Fully  assured  of 
this,  yet  ever  ready  to  receive  truth,  whether  new  or  old,  we 
enter  upon  our  third  century  holding  their  faith  as  ours,  and 
praying  as  they  ])rayed  : 

"The  Lord  our  God  be  with  us, 
As  he  was  with  our  Fathers." 

Amen  ! 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


SOME  P^ACTS 


FOR    THE 


HISTORY    OF    THE 


^tfoniuli  |rotcstaiit  llutrl)  Cljurrj) 


—  OF  — 


Compiled  by 
JONATHAN    PEARSON, 

UNION    COLLEGE. 


1 


PREFACE. 


[Professor  Pearson's  manuscript  is  reprinted  without  alteration  or  suppres- 
sion of  any  part.  The  editor's  notes  are  in  brackets,  and  signed  with  his  in- 
itials,    w.  E.  G.  ] 

The  following  compilation  is  mainly  original  matter,  never 
before  published, — the  resnlt  of  several  years  research  by  the 
author  among  all  sources  of  information  within  his  knowledge. 
It  contains  the  frame  work  of  the  history  of  the  Rkkormed 
Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  Schenectady,  based  mainly 
upon  cotemporaneous  documents  and  void  alike  of  tradition  and 
sentiment.  The  above  written  name  for  this  church  though  not 
the  earliest,  nor  that  by  which  the  General  Synod  is  now  known, 
is  used  here,  as  being  that  given  in  the  charter  of  1734,  and  })re- 
venting  all  ambiguity. 

In  1715  this  congregation  was  called  the  "Reformed  Nether 
Dutch  Church." — in  1727  the  "  Xether  Dutch  Reformed 
Church,"  or  '■^Nederduytse  rjereformeerde  gernynte,  and  more  sim 
ply  the  "Dutch  Church." 

The  authorities  consulted  in  the  preparation  of  this  work  were 
mainly  the  papers  preserved  in  the  "Deacon's  chest,"  and  the 
other  church  records.  The  Doop  and  Trouw  books  begin  in 
1G94  ;  the  earlier  registers  were  doubtless  destroyed  in  1690,  in 
Domine  Thesschenmaecker's  house. 

The  treasurer's  accounts  go  back  a  few  years  earlier,  but  are 
imjjerfect. 

The  consistorial  minutes  were  not  regularly  kej»t  until  1784, 
when  Doctor  D.  Romeyn  became  minister  of  the  church.  Tliey 
were  written  in  the  Doctor's  fair  hand,  in  the  Dutch  language, 
until  nearly  1803,  afterwards  in  English.  The  great  mass  of  the 
older  papers  consist  mainly  of  land  leases,  long  since  cancelled  ; 
nothing  like  a  historical  sketch  exists,  and  no  recognition  of  the 
hundreth  anniversary  of  the  organization  of  the  church  is  to  be 
found.  The  earliest  recorded  effort  to  write  a  historical  narra- 
tive of  the  church  was  made  in  consistory,  Jan.  1,  1806,  wlien 
Messrs.  Cornelius  Van  Santvoord  and  Josei»h  C.  Yates  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  for  the  use  of  the  "  Classis  an 
accurate  account  of  the  organization,  original  and  present  mem- 
bers, remarkable  events  and  everything  imjiortant  respecting 
this  church."    This  late  atteui})t  was  probably  never  carried  out. 


56  PREFACE. 


At  a  later  date,  Jan.  12,  1813,  the  consistory  directed  Abra- 
ham Ootliout,  ^laus  Van  Vranl<en  and  the  Secretary,  (Isaac  De- 
Graaf,)  "  to  examine  the  j)aj)ers  contained  in  the  ohl  box  belong- 
ing to  this  board,  and  to  destroy  all  such  papers  as  they  may 
dc-I'm  useless  !"  What  possible  use  could  be  made  of  those  old 
pajiers  written  in  the  illegible  chirograi)hy  of  the  seventeenth 
century  and  in  a  tongue  then  almost  dead  ? 

Who  can  tell  how  much  of  the  early  history  of  this  church 
jterished  in  this  examination  ?  Strange  as  it  may  seem  the  name 
of  the  donor  of  one  of  the  l)est  estates  early  and  longest  held  by 
this  church,  to  wit,  the  "  Poor  Pasture,"  is  entii'ely  unknown  to 
this  generation.*  Governor  Lovelace's  })atent  for  the  same  once 
known  to  l)e  in  the  "  old  box,"  with  other  •'  useless  ijai)ers,"  has 
pei-ished.  The  book  of  records  kept  l)y  Ludovicus  Cobes,  notary 
and  secretary  of  the  village  in  1677,  in  which  were  written  the 
deeds,  wills,  marriages  contracts,  etc.,  of  that  date  was  among 
the  church  papers  until  near  the  close  of  the  last  century,  but  is 
no  longer  to  be  found. 

Whether  it  was  destroyed,  with  other  unreadable  and  there- 
fore useless  papers,  by  the  committee  a])])ointed  for  that  purpose 
in  1813  no  one  can  tell.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  few  and  scanty 
are  the  trustworthy  records  of  the  past.  Old  wives'  fables  and 
traditions,  often  false  and  lying,  the  author  has  rejected,  uidess 
corroborated  by  contemporary  writteji  documents. 

The  established  church  of  New  Xetherland  was  that  of  Hol- 
land, founded  upon  the  princijiles  propounded  by  the  Synod  of 
Dort,  in  1618  and  1619.  For  some  years  the  intrusion  of  other 
sects  was  tolerated,  but  during  Stuyvesant's  administration  an 
attempt  was  made  to  suj»])ress  dissent  and  several  persons  were 
im]»risoned  and  banished  the  Province  for  their  contumacy.  The 
matter  went  so  far  that  the  Directors  in  Amsterdam  were  com- 
}>elled  to  interfere,  and  a  dispatch  dated  Apiil  16th,  1663,  ad- 
ministered the  following  rebuke  :  "  In  the  youth  of  your 
e*:istence  you  ought  rather  to  encourage  than  check  the  popula- 
tion of  the  colony.  The  consciences  of  men  ought  to  be  free 
and  unshackeled  so  long  as  they  continue  jnoderate.  peaceable, 
inoffensive  and  not  hostile  to  the  Goverimient.  Such  have  been 
the  maxims  of  prudence  and  toleration  by  which  the  magistrates 
of  this  city  have  been  governe<l :  and  the  consequences  have  been 
that  the  oppressed  and  persecuted  from  eveiy  country  have 
found  among  us  an  asylum  from  distress.  Follow  in  the  same 
steps  and  you  will  be  blessed." 

Persecution  afterwards  ceased,  but  the  wrongs  already  com- 
mitted were  not  easily  forgotten. 

♦This  was  written  before  the  bi-centennial  anniversary,     See  the  tablet  in 

the  church. 


HISTORY  OFTHE  CHURCH. 


CHAPTER  I. 

SETTLEMENT   OF  THE  VILLAGE  AND  OUGANIZATION  OF  THE    CHUKCir 

In  the  spring  of  1662  Avent  V:in  Curler,  lute  superintendent 
of  Rensselaerswvck,  with  a  little  band  of  colonists,  started  from 
Beverwyck  (now  Albany)  to  take  up  the  "  Great  Flatt "  and 
found  the  present  town  of  Schenectady.  The  wide  plain  lying 
between  these  two  towns  was  then  an  unbroken  forest  without  a 
road.  They  traveled  first  westward  until  the  Norman's  Kill  was 
reached,  then  struck  northward,  following  the  Indian  trail  of 
"  blazed  "  trees.  After  a  circuit  of  more  than  twenty  miles  they 
reached  the  seat  of  their  future  labors.  The  year  preceding, 
their  leader  had  obtained  from  the  Mohawks,  title  for  a  village 
site  and  the  fine  arable  land  lying  west  and  north  of  it.  This 
little  company  consisted  of  the  following  fifteen  persons  : 
Arent  Van  Curler,  Sander  Leendeitse  Cleen, 

Philip  Hendricks  Brouwer,  Tenuis  Cornelise  Swart. 

Marten  Cornelise  Van  Esselstyn,  William  Teller. 
Catalyntje   De    Vas,  widow  ofPieter    Jacobse    Borsboone,   de 

Arent  Andriese  Bratt,  Steenbackker, 

Pieter  Danielse  Van  Olinda,       Jan  Barentse  Wemj», 
Jacques  Cornelise  Van  Slyck,     Gerrit  Bancker, 
Symon     Volkerts     Veeder,  de  Pieter  Adriaense,    alias,  Soege- 

Bakker,  makelyk, 

Harmen  Albertse  Vedder. 

The  greater  i)ortion  of  the  flats  and  islands  lying  innnediately 
west  and  north  of  Schenectady  was  allotted  to  these  fifteen  in- 
dividuals, excejiting  P.  D.  Van  Olinda,  who  had  fanning  lands 
in  Niskayuna  and  elsewhere.  For  greater  security  against  floods 
and  Indians  their  home  lots  were  laid  out  together,  u]»on  that 
portion  of  the  present  city  lying  west  of  P'erry  street,  and  tlic 
whole  plot  was  surrounded  with  palisades. 

8 


.58  msTOlfV  orTIIECIiriK'lI. 

Within  a  few  years  after  the  settlement  was  begun  material 
chaiiLfes  had  been  inadt-  in  the  ownership  of  these  lots  ;  some  of 
the  first  settlors  diotl.  others  removed  and  new   ones  took   their 
places  :  of  wliom  the  most  prominent  were  the  following : 
Claas  Frederickse  Van  ]*etten,  Christiaan  Chtistiaanse, 
Cornells  Cornelise  Viele,  Hans  Janse  Eenkluys 

Ilendriek  Meese  Vrooman,  Jan  l*ieters  ]Mi-l)ie, 

Claas  Lourense  Van  derVolgen,  DanielJanse  \'an  Antwerpen, 
Isaac  Cornelise  Swits,  Carel  Ilonse  Toll, 

Elias  Van  Guysling,  Claas  Andriese  DeGraaf, 

Ryer  Jacobse  Schermerhorn,       liol)ert  Yates, 
Sweer  Tennise  Van  Velsen,         Isaac  Du  Trieiix  (Truax), 
Jacobus  Peeck,  Joris  Aertse  Vander  Boast, 

Jellis  Van  Norst,  Keynier  Schaets, 

Jan  Van  Ei>i)s,  Douw  Aukes  De  Vrees, 

Liidovicus  Cobes.  Jellis  P"'onda, 

Bastiaen  De  Winter,  Synion  Groot, 

Phili})  Philipse  DeMore,  Jan  Janse  Jancker,  alias, 

Johannes  PieterseQuackenbos,        Van  Ilotterdam, 
De.  Petrus  Thesschenmaecker,   Finns  llarniense  VanderBogart, 
De.  Barnhardus  Freerman,  Dr.  Jacobus  Van  Dyck, 

Jonatan  Stevens,  Caleb  Beck, 

William  Hall,  Barent  Janse  Van  Ditmars, 

Fredenck  Chite,  Daniel  Kettelhuyn, 

Gtrrit  liyckse  Van  Vrankeii,       Joliannes  Kleyn, 
Ahasuerus  ^Nlarselis,  David  Marinus, 

Johannes  Myndertse,  Pieter  Ouderkirk, 

Manasseh  Sixberry,  Johannes  Pootman, 

(Jysbert  Van  Brakelen. 

Most  of  these  are  familiar  names  in  Schenectady  to  this  day  ; 
nearly  all  have  been  perpetuated  in  tluii-  <lescendants.  They 
are  chiefly  of  Holland  origin  ;  indeed  down  to  the  middle  of  the 
last  century  Schenectady  was  almost  jturcly  Dutch.  Being  a 
border  settlement  its  growth  was  necessarily  slow.  To  the  ordi- 
nary hard-ihips  of  a  frontier  life  were  added  the  almost  constant 
alarms  created  by  the  long  P^rench  and  Indian  wars  and  the 
oppressive  trade  regulations,  by  which  all  traffic  in  furs  with  the 
natives  was  prohibited  to  the  inhabitants  of  Schenectady  and 
appropriated  by  those  of  All)ariy.  With  such  discouragement, 
it  is  a  Avonder  that  Schenectady  gained  in  ]>f)ptdation  at  all  ;  and 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  -,9 

tliivt  the  spot  was  not  5U)audoiie(l  altogether,  especially  after  that 
sad  destruction  of  life  and  i)roperty  on  the  8th  and  9th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1690. 

Few  or  no  accessions  were  made  to  the  miserable  remnant 
who  survived  that  fatal  night,  until  after  the  peace  of  Ryswick, 
in  1697,  and  it  is  probable  that  at  no  time  previous  to  1700,  did 
the  population  exceed  two  hundred  and  fifty  souls. 

The  tirst  settlers  of  Schenectady  wei'e  chiefly  citizens  of  Al- 
bany ;  in  transferring  their  residence  to  the  former  town  manv 
still  retained  their  houses  in  the  latter.  Indeed,  Schenectadv 
was  but  a  distant  suburb  of  Albany,  settled  by  her  own  children, 
and  closely  connected  with  her  by  ties  of  family  an<l  intermar- 
riage. Not  only  was  Albany  the  headquarters  for  trade  in  this 
[)art  of  the  Province,  but  she  was  also  the  seat  of  the  hio-her 
judicial  court  and  of  the  mother  church. 

At  the  first  settlement  of  Schenectady  in  1662  there  Mere  l)ut 
five  Dutch  churches  and  ministers  in  the  Province,  viz :  those 
of 

New  Amsterdam,  whose  ministers  were 5  .Johannes  Megapolensis. 

(  Samuel  Dris:iis. 

Beverwyck  (Albany), Gideon  Schaets. 

Breuckelyn  (Brooklyn) Henricus  Selyns. 

Esopus  (Kingston), Hermanus  Bloom. 

Midwout  and  Amersfort  (Flatbush,   L.   I.), .Johannes  T.  Polhemus. 

Of  these  the  church  at  Beverwyck,  founded  twenty  years  be- 
fore, was  the  oldest  in  the  Colony  except  that  of  New  Amster- 
dam.** Her  first  Domine  (1642  to  1647),  was  Johannes  Megajyol- 
ensis  who  now  ministered  in  New  Amsterdam  ;  the  second,  (xid- 
eon  Schaets  (1652-1690).  The  latter  probably  assisted  at  the 
organization  of  the  church  at  Schenectady,  to  which  he  occas- 
ionally ministered  until  his  labors  ceased  in  his  own  church  in 
1690. 

The  date  and  circumstances  of  this  organization  ai-e  involved 
in  much  obscurity,  the  early  records  of  both  churches  Ix'ing  lost. 
But  from  occasional  mention  made  in  coteniporaneous  j>apers 
and  records  it  is  safe  to  say  that  the  church  of  Schenectady  was 
in  existence  between  the  years  1670  and  1680  and  probably  ear- 
lier.    Thus  on  the  occasion  of  the  death  of  Hans  Janse  Eenkluys, 

**  [The  Reformed  Church  in  America  was  first  organized  by  the  Rev. 
Jonas  Michaelius,  inside  the  fort,  at  the  lower  end  of  what  is  now 
New  York  city,  in  1628.   It  was  called  the  church  of  .Saint  Nicholas.    W.  E.  G."] 


60  IIISTOIiY  OF  THE  CIII'IUII. 

in  1083,  tlie  de;i<.-()iis  ]»etition  the  court  at  Albany  for  letters  of 
■vdniinistration  on  hi;*  effects  and  say  *  *  *  (/(,^  eeneii  Hans 
Janssen  op  den.  7  meert  107  4-5  heeft  overr/edrueffeii  aendi  aermen 
van  Schaenhechtade  zeeeke  syne  planiage,  &c.  etc.,  in  other  words 
that  Hans  Janse,  in  1675,  made  over  to  the  poor  of  Schenectady 
his  plantation,  on  condition  he  should  he  maintained  in  his  old 
age  and  weakness,  which  they  say  they  have  done,  and  paid 
the  expenses  of  his  burial.  Now  this  pluntage  was  simply  the 
"  Poor  Pasture,"  and  was  the  jjrojjerty  of  the  chui-ch  from  Een- 
kluy's  time  down  to  1 862,  when  it  was  sold. 

These  facts  seem  to  point  to  the  existence  of  the  church  as 
early  at  1674,  for  it  is  a  well  known  fact  that  the  Dutch  churches 
were  the  guardians  of  the  poor,  the  orphans,  and  the  aged,  wlio 
were  without  natural  protectors ;  and  received  and  dispensed 
large  alms  and  property  for  this  puri)ose. 

The  next  incidental  mention  of  this  clnirch  is  found  in  the 
records  of  the  city  of  AlVjany.  In  February,  1679,  "the  court 
and  conshtory  of  Schenectady  request  that  Domine  Schaets  may 
be  sent  four  Sundays  in  one  year  to  adniinister  the  Lord's  supper 
to  said  ))lace  and  comnnuiity,  which  request  is  granted  in  so  far 
that  Domine  Schaets  is  allowed  to  go  four  times  in  one  year  to 
administer  the  Holy  Sacrament,  but  not  on  a  Sunday,  whereas  it 
would  be  unjust  to  let  the  community  [of  Albany]  be  without 
preaching."  * 

Thirdly,  The  jjrosperous  condition  of  the  i)Oor  fund  of  the 
church  from  1680  to  1690  shows  i)retty  clearly  that  it  had  been 
organized  some  years  previous  to  the  former  date.  At  the  close 
of  the  year  168!)  Domine  Thesscheiimaocker  audited  the  Dea- 
cons' accounts  and  found  that  the  unexpended  alms  contributed 
for  the  ])Oor  amounted  to  about  4,000  guilders,  of  which  about 
3,000  guilders  had  been  loaned  to  individuals  on  bonds  dating 
back  in  one  case,  to  1681.  Though  the  Dutch  were  a  liberal 
})eople  in  matters  appertaining  to  their  church,  it  is  not  ])rol)able 
that  sucli  an  accumulation  of  alms  was  nnvde  entirely  within  the 
ten  years  above  mentioned,  especially  when  their  numbers  are 
considered,  and  that  in  this  time  the  ijarsonage  house  was  con- 
structed and  tlieii-  first  Domine  was   called  and  maintained.     It 

*  Annals  of  Albany,  I,  103. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


61 


is  fair  therefore  to  conclude  that  the  Dutch  church  of  Schenec- 
tady was  certainly  an  organized  body  in  1674,  jtrobahly  nuicli 
earlier. 

The  first  twenty  years  of  tlie  village  was  a  struggle  with  the 
hardships  of  frontier  life  ;  its  energies  were  spent  in  removing 
the  forest  and  subduing  the  soil.  ?\)r  religious  ])rivileges  it  was 
dependent  u])on  Albany;  until  in  1083-4,  when  the  little  hamlet 
having  grown  sutliciently  strong  in  numbers  and  wealth,  called 
its  first  minister.  The  eartiest  mention  of  Domine  Thesschen- 
maecker  in  the  church  records  is  found  in  a  book  of  miscellane- 
ous writings,  the  first  leaves  of  which  unfortunately  are  wanting. 
The  following  is  a  coj)y  and  translation  of  the  first  page  in  its 
pi'esent  mutilated  condition  : 


Uytgyeve.  [1683  ?] 

aen  Myndert  Wemji,  F.  48 

aen  een  kan,  8 

aen  Jan  Roelofsen  voor  *  *  24 
5  Witte  broden,  1 

aen  domine  Tassemaker  *'  *  24 
aen  emanual  Consaul,  G 

aen  Lubbert  gysbertse  voor 

2  dagen  Wercke,  6 

aea  spyckers  van  Albanie,  6 
aen  den  ^  dusent  harde  steen,  1 8 
aen  2  bevers  aedLaseysers 

tot  set  buys  tepingelen,    48 
aen  12  gulden  aen  *  *  voor 

stacken  en  *  *  ver    ver- 

bruyck  aen  de  heymiiige,  12 
27  april  voor  wyn    tot  liet 

iiaght  mael    aen    domine 

tasschenmaker  betalt, 
27     May    domine      Schats 

Vercert, 
Schoonmaken       van 

Kerche, 


rler 


20 
36 

13 

*  1.10 

*  .5. 

*  2.10 


(Translation). 
Expenditures.         [1683?] 

[Paid.]  ■ 
To  Myndert  Wemj),  guilders,  48 
To  [paid  for]  a  pot,  8 

To  Jan  Roelofsen,  for    *   *  24 
To  5  white  loaves,  1 

To  domine  Tassemaker  *  *  24 
To  Emanual  Consaul,  6 

To  Lubl>ertse  Gysbertse  for 

two  days  work,  6 

To  nails  from  Albany,  6 

To  half  thousand  hard  bricks,  1 8 
To  two  beavers  to  Laseysers 

shingling  the  house,         *  48 
To  12  guilders  *  *  for  stakes 

*     *     for    use      of     the 

fence,  12 

27  April,  For  wine  for  the 

Lord's     supjjer    ])aid    to 

Domine  tasschenmaker,      20 
27      May,      presented      to 

Domine  Schaets,  36 


Voor  wvn  van   hat  naglit 
mael'  20. 


cleaning  the  church, 
*  *  *  * 


* 


13 

1.10 

5. 

2.10 


*  *  *  *  * 

*  *  *  *  * 

For   wine  for  the  Lord's 
supper,  20.  0 


^Parsonage  house. 


G2 


HISTOKY  OF  THE  CIirKCII. 


acMi  Adam  Vroom. 

24. 

iiOifli  aeii  cloiniiK'tassclie- 

maker     voort    inakeii 

vande    hayiiiii<;e     aen 

het  erf. 

4.'). 

nogh  voor  7   meal   wittc 

broot  tot  het  aveiit  iiiacl 

C.  F.  1.10  a  meal, 

10.10 

Claas      ])ermurent      aen 

(lageii  rvden, 

18 

2|  dagen  aen  de  heyninge, 

2-2 

Yoorts    t^ingelen     van    't 

buys, 

12 

aen    2  Vragsten  posten- 

gasacbt, 

6 

2  glass  Ramen, 

10 

24. 


4.>.   t 


To  Adam  Vrooman, 
Also  to  Domine  tasselii' 
maker  for  making  the 
fence  to  tlie  lot, 
Also  for    white  bread   7 
times    for   the    Lord's 
sui)i)erC\  F.  1.10a  time   10.10 
Claas    Purmerent     [Van 
der  Volgen]  one  day  cart- 
ing, *  18. 
2f  days  on  the  fence,         22. 

for  shingling  the  honse  %        12 

To  two  loads  of  posts  sawed        (i 
2  glass  windows,  10 


Somma,  P'.   516-13*  Total,  florins  o  16-1 3 

From  these  accounts  we  learn  the  following  facts : 

1.  That  Domine  Thesschenmaecker  came  to  Schenectady  be- 
fore the  death  of  Domine  Scliaets  (1600). 

2.  That  the  first  house  of  worshij)  was  then  Ijuilt. 

3.  That  the  consistory  this  year  (1683?),  was  building  a  par- 
sonage house  and  fencing  the  lot.  For  although  it  is  not  stated 
that  7  huys  was  for  the  Domine's  use,  we  can  hardly  conceive  of 
his  l>eing  engaged  in  building,  and  the  church  in  ])aying  for.  a 
dwelling  for  any  other  person. 

Of  the  five  houses  of  worshi])  l)uilt  by  this  cliurch,  the  one 
above-mentioned  was  tlie  first.  We  know  little  about  it  exce])t 
that  it  was  small  and  inconvenient — too  small  indeed  for  the 
few  worshippers  in  1701,  ||  and  that  it  stood  at  the  junction  of 
Church,  State  and  Water  streets.     After  the  massacre  of  1 600 

tParsonage  lot. 

+  Parsonage  house  on  the  present  church  lot. 

*  The  money  of  accounts  of  the  Dutch  was  the  guilder  or  florin  and  stuyver, 
20  of  the  latter  to  one  of  the  former.  There  were  the  guilder  sewant  and 
the  guilder  beaver  ,• — the  latter  of  the  value  of  about  40  cts.,  or  three  times 
that  of  the  former.  The  guilder  of  accounts  was  commonly  valued  at  one 
shilling  N.  Y.  currency. 

II  In  a  petition  to  (jovernor  Nanfan,  in  1 701,  for  aid  in  erecting  a  new  house 
of  public  worship  they  say  : — "the  place  where  itt  is  now  Exercised  in  nott 
bein  Large  Enough  to  containe  the  whole  assemply  oft  ye  Inhabitants  &  In- 
dian Proselytes,"  &c. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  63 

it  was  also  used  as  a  block-house  *  and  like  tlie  dwellinn^  of  the 
village  was  probably  built  of  woixl.  It  has  usually  been  as- 
sumed that  this  chureh  was  burned  by  the  French  and  Indians, 
but  of  the  truth  of  this  tradition  there  is  no  proof. 

The  parsonage  lot,  now  the  church  site  (excepring  56  feet 
added  to  the  east  side  at  later  dates),  was  used  as  such  150  years 
down  to  1813.  The  original  dimensions  were  100  by  200  feet, 
Amsterdam  measure,  f  and  it  has  been  in  i)Ossession  of  the 
church  from  the  time  o<^  its  organization.  The  house  erected 
upon  it  for  Domine  Thesschenmaecker,  who  was  an  unmarried 
man,  nnist  have  been  of  humble  dimensions  judging  from  the 
number  and  cost  of  the  •'  (jlass  Ramen  "  j)urchased  for  it  m  the 
above  account.  It  became  the  funeral  })ile  of  its  lirst  occupant 
when  the  villagfe  was  burned  in  1690. 


CHAPTER  II. 

1684-1690.       DOMINE  I'KTRUS  TIIESSOIIENMAKCKKU. 

Domine  Thesschenmaecker  |  is  best  known  for  his  tragical  end. 
He  came  to  this  country  from  (iuiaiia  whither  he  had  gone  from 
Utrecht,  a  young  theological  student,  ||  :ind  is  lirst  mentioned  in 
the  following  petition  of  date  1676. 

To  the  Rt.  Honoral*=  Sr.  P^dniond  Andrus  Kt.  of  Sauemares : 
under  his  Royall  Highness  Duke  of  Yorke  and  Albany  and 
dependances :  The  humble  petition  of  Seuerall  of  the  In- 
habittanse  of  Esopus  humbly  shewith  unto  yo*"  Honor, 

Whereas  this  place  is  destitute  of  a  minister  for  the  In- 
struction of  the  peojjle :  It  is  our  Ernest  desiar  and  humble 
request  with  all  Submission  that  yo*"  Ilono''  will  be  pleased 
to  be  aiding  and  assisting  in  the  procuring  one  for  us  tlmt 
can  j)reache  both  Inglish  and  Duche,  weich  will  l)e  most 
fitting  for  this  })lace,  it  being  in  its  minority  and  having 
great  charges  is  not  very  able  to  raaintaine  two  ministares ; 

*  In  an  ancient  deed  dated  1692  it  is  called  "  V  blokhttvs  (Uwden  de  kcrche).^'' 
+  The  Amsterdam  foot  consisted  of  about    11  in.  English. 
J  The  abbreviated  form  of  his  name,  Tassemaker,  we  have  used  in  the  his  - 
torical  discourse,  and  on  the  tablet  erected  in  the  church,      [w.  E.  G.J 
II  Hist.  Mag.  IX,  323. 


64  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHUUCH. 

nether  to  be  at  tlie  cliarsrc  of  semliiii;  tor  one  out  of  Eng- 
land or  Holland  ;  and  we   are  Infonned  Mr.  Peettar  Taset- 
niakr  is   at  liV)erty,   who  is  a   ])erson  well  knowne  to  yo*" 
Hon""  and  otiiciated  in  this  [j)laee]  for  sum  time  ;  And  if  to 
bee  procured,  is  very  well  approved  and  much  desired  by 
nioste,  hee  beinsj  a  man  of  Sober  life  and  conversacon  hav- 
iufj  l)ei)ortted  hiinselfe  to  sattisfaction  of  ye  Iidiabitance, — 
AVherefor  wee  Humbly   jtray  that   your  honor   will  bee 
pleaseb  to  bee  Instrumeutall  in  the  same  and  yo""   Hono'"'* 
humble  Petticeners  shall  ever  pray,  &c.* 
This  api)ears  to  be  a  sufficient  certificate  of  his  fitness  for  the 
sacred  office,  but  whether  he  returned  to  Esopus  on  this  fiatter- 
ing  call  is  not  known.     It  appears  that  at  this  time  he  had  not 
been  ordained,  for  in  1679  on  application  from  New-Castle,  on 
the  Delaware,  the  Governor  in  the  following  warrant  directed 
Domine  Newenhnysen  to  examine  and  induct  him  into  the  min- 
istry  of  the   Protestant  Reformed   Church.     Probably  he  was 
then  a  resident  of  Staten  Island. 

To    THE    CONSTABI-E    OV    StaTEN    IsT.AM). 

Sr  Edmond  Andros  Kt.  (kc.  : 

Upon  ap])lication  from  New-Castle  in  Delaware,  That  (being 
destitute)  Mr.  Peter  Teschenmaecker  may  bee  admitted  to  bee 
their  Minister,  By  Vertue  of  his  mapi^s  Letters  ])atents  and  Au- 
thoritie  derived  unto  me,  I  doe  hereby  desire  and  Authorise  you, 
to  examine  the  said  JNIr.  Teschenmaecker  and  if  you  shall  find 
fittly  Qualifyed  that  then  you  ordaine  him  into  the  ministry  of 
the  Protestant  Reformed  Church  to  ])reacli  God's  word  and  Ad- 
minister his  Holy  sacraments  and  give  him  Testimonialls  there- 
of as  is  iisuall. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  scale  of  the  Province  in  New 
Yorke  the  thirteenth  day  of  Scjitember  in  the  31st  yeare  of  his 
]yjj^ties  llaigne  Annoq  Domini  1()79. 

To  Mr.  Gidielmus      ]  E.  A.    * 

Niewenhuysen  niin-  I 
istr  or  pastor  of  this  | 
Citie  or  any  three 
or  more  of  the  minis- 
t>'s  or  Pastors  within 
this  Government. 

Prepared  and  examined  by  mee, 

Matthias  Nicolls,  Sec'"- 


*Doc.  Hist.  Ill,  583. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  Go 

In  two  respects  this  was  an  unusual  jn-oceeding.  First  in 
that  the  Provincial  Governor,  though  empowered  by  royal  let- 
ters patent  to  license  and  collate  ministers  of  the  gosjtel,  should 
exercise  this  riglit,  especially  in  the  Dutch  churches  ;  and,  second- 
ly, that  a  minister  of  this  church  should  be  ordained  in  this  coun- 
try. Almost  to  the  middle  of  the  last  century  it  was  thought 
indespensable  that  a  theological  education  and  licensure  should 
be  obt.ained  abroad.  This  together  with  the  subjection  to  the 
authority  of  the  Chassis  of  Amsterdam,  formed  the  subject  mat- 
ter of  the  great  controversy  which  agitated  the  church  for  more 
than  thirty  years  until  united  in  1771  through  the  efforts  of  Dr. 
John  H.  Livingston. 

In  accordance  with  Governor  Andros'  order  of  warrant,  above 
cited,  "Domine  Schaets,  of  Albany,  Domine  Van  Zuuren,  of 
Long  Island,  and  Domine  Van  Gaasbeeck,  of  Esopus,  met  with 
Domine  Van  Nieuwenhuysen,  at  New  York,  and  formed  them- 
selves into  a  Classis,  composed  of  all  the  Dutch  ministers  within 
the  Province  with  members  of  their  consistories." 

"  The  following  is  a  translation  of  the  original  recoi'd  of  the 
first  Dutch  Classis  ever  held  in  North  Atnerica  : 

*'  Copy  of  the  acts  done  in  our  meeting  at  New    York  the  9th  of 

October,  1679,  in  the  matter  of  Domine  Fetrus  Tesschenmuecker. 

"On  this  day,  the  9th  of  October,  1679,  was  handed  in  a  call 
of  a  minister  for  the  congregation  of  the  South  [Delaware] 
River,  which  calling  has  fallen  on  the  person  of  Domine  Petrus 
Tesschenmaecker,  a  candidate  for  the  sacred  ministry. 

"  But  considering  that  this  matter  is  without  example  in  this 
Government,  the  Low  Dutch  ministers  who  are  here,  on  the 
request  of  the  Honorable  Knight,  Governor  Edminid  Andrus. 
and  on  the  exhibition  of  the  testimonia  examinis  preparaturii  of 
the  aforesaid  Domine  Petrus  Tesschennuiecker  (written  by  the 
Dutch  and  English  consistories  at  tne  Hague),  having  been  con- 
tent (considering  likewise  the  distress  of  the  above  named  re- 
spective congregation),  to  confinii  and  consecrate  this  candidate 
to  the  office  of  the  ministry  there. 

"And  because  before  all,  it  is  necessary  that  an  Overseer 
(apziendar)  shouuld  be  proved,  so  the  Reverend  Assembly,  con- 
sisting of  the  Low  Dutch  clergyman  of  this  Government,  to- 
gether with  other  Ecclesiastical  persons,  a])proved  as  good  the 

9 


66  HISTORY  OF  TIIK  ClirRCfl. 

aforesiiid  attestation  examinis  preparatorii  without  s|)t'C'ial  oppo- 
sition ;  and  it  was  resolved  to  proceed  to  the  promotie  itself." 

'•  Thereu]>(>n  Doniiiie  Tesschenmaecker  heintf  suinnioned  with- 
in was  ai'ijuainted  with  this  api»robation  of  the  Reverend  assem- 
1»1\.  and  wa.s  further  asked,  whether  he  accepted  this  calling,  to 
serve  in  the  same  according  to  the  ecclesiastical  orders  of  the 
Reformed  Synod  of  Dordrecht  and  other  s])ecial  instructions, 
and  would  also  promise  conformity  to  tlie  said  orders.  The  an 
swer  was  "yes,"  undertaking  and  l)inding  himself  to  observe 
the  same." 

"  This  being  done,  Dcmiine  Tesschenmacker  was  first  heard  in 
his  jiropositie  upon  the  text  Matt.  5:  20,,  the  treatment  of  which 
gave  the  Reverend  Assembly  sufficient  satisfaction." 

"  Thereupon  the  Reverend  Assembly  addressed  itself  to  the 
examination,  having  appointed  as  examinator  Domine  Wilhelm- 
us  Van  Xieuweiduiysen,  minister  of  the  Holy  Gosjjel  in  the 
Metropolis  of  the  (Tovernment  of  New  York." 

"  The  examination  being  sustained  the  Reverend  Assembly 
was  likewise  contented  with  the  answers  of  Domine  Tesschen- 
maecker,  so  that  finally,  the  contirmation  accorded  to  our  church 
order  and  formulary  followed  hereupon,  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord."  Signed, 

"  Casparus   Van  Zureren, 
minister  in  Long  Island, 
Conventua  pro  tempore  Scrlba." 

"These  interesting  documents  were  sent  to  the  Classis  of 
Amsterdam  in  a  joint  letter  signed  by  the  four  Dutch  clergy- 
men in  New  York.  In  that  letter  they  rely  on  Governor  An- 
dros'  authorization  as  the  justification  of  their  action,  which  they 
declared  was  "  in  all  res})ects  conformable  to  ])raiseworthy 
usuage  and  order  of  the  churcli  in  the  Fatlierliuid  (to  the  up- 
liolding  of  which  we  have  also  obliged  him  by  ])romises  and  the 
giving  of  hands  as  wee  ourselves  were  ol)liged  thereto  by  your 
Reverences),  there  having  yet  further  come  to  us  excellent  testi- 
monials of  the  de})ortment  and  ])reaching  of  Domine  Teschen- 
maecker,  signed  by  the  Consistories  of  the  Low  Dutch  and  Eng- 
lish congregations  in  the  Hague ;  and  he  himself  {examinandvs 
Candida tus)  exhibiting  very  good  and  projter  gifts  as  in  his/^ro- 
positis  so  in  his  answers,  to  the  comi^lete  satisfaction  of  all  the 
luemTjers  of  our  Assembly." 


niSTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


"The  Classis  of  Amsterdam  afterwards  approved  this  aetioii 
and  of  the  settlement  of  Domine  Ti-ssolionmaec-ker  at  the  Dehi- 
ware,  where,  liowever.  he  remained  but  a  short  time.  In  the 
winter  of  1682,  he  i>reaehed  on  Staten  Island,  and  in  1684  he 
was  called  to  the  church  in  Schenectady."  * 

After  his  ordination  Domine  Thesschemnaecker  dei)arted  im- 
mediately for  his  new  held  of  labors  ;  for  Xovend)er  20th,  fol- 
lowing, he  received  a  patent  f  for  a  lot  of  land  at  New  Castle, 
300  by  480  feet,  respecting  which  the  Colonial  Secretary  received 
a  letter  J  dated  January  17th,  1679-80,  promising  his  fee  of  40 
shillings  iu  Avheat. 

Here  he  remained  three  years  until  1682,  "  when  in  conse- 
quence of  some  disagreement  with  his  congregation  he  left  and 
accepted  a  call  from  Schenectady."  || 

Iu  the  latter  place  he  labored  six  yeans  with  reasonable  success  : 
and  in  spite  of  the  distant  mutterings  of  war  between  Britain 
and  France  the  little  community  grew  in  numbers  and  wealth. 
The  virgin  soil  of  the  neighboring  Flats  and  islands  yielded 
abundantly,  and  the  population,  gaining  confidence,  ventured 
beyond  the  palisades  of  the  village  and  gradually  crept  up  the 
Mohawk  river,  occupying  the  fertile  lands  on  eitlier  bank. 

It  was  while  resting  in  fancied  security  that  the  j)lacewas  sur- 
prised, on  the  8th  day  of  February,  1690,  and  totally  destroyed. 
Approaching  the  place  at  midnight  the  French  and  Indians 
found  the  gates  02)en,  the  guards  withdrawn,  and  the  village  in 
j)rofound  slumber.  The  work  of  destruction  commenced  under 
such  favorable  circumstances  was  soon  completed ; — day  dawned 
upon  a  ghastly  scene, — the  labors  of  thirty  years  in  ashes, — sixty 
of  the  inhabitants  slain, — twenty-eight  captives  selected  for  the 
long  winter  march  to  Canada, — and  the  miserable  remnant, 
wound.ed  and  frost-bitten,  })ainfully  seeking  relief  in  flight  to- 
wards Albany.     The  French  commander  had  ordered  his  men 

*  Hist.  Mag.,  IX:  325-6. 

+  Patents  IV.  90? 

X  "  De.  Tesschenmaecker  hath  promised  to  make  satisfactory  in  ye  Sprini^ 
for  ye  pattent  and  ye  other  wrytings,  40shiiHngs  in  wheat,  as  by  yorself  de- 
manded, wh  I  think  is  soe  reasonable  as  can  be  considering  ye  trouble  vvh  to 
my  knowledge  yrself  had  in  gt  buisnesse."  Eph.  Herman  to  Matthias  Nicoll. 
— Alb.  Recoids,  Jan.  17,    1679-80. 

JJ  Anthology  of  New  Netherlands,  p.  loo-r. 


68  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

to  sj)are  the  life  of  the  elergynian,  l)Ut  his  savage  allies  knew  no 
(lifferenee  between  minister  and  i)eoi)le ; — he  was  slain  and 
burned  in  his  liouse.  * 

J)()niine  Thessehenniaeckev  left  no  heirs.  A  farm  of  " eighty 
acres  and  a  pi-oportional  quantity  of  meadow  ground  "  granted 
to  him  3  Nov.  1685,  on  the  south  side  of  Staten  island,t  was 
claimed  by  the  inhabitants  of  Richmond  county  as  a  poor  fund.  X 

For  seven  years  from  this  sad  event,  till  the  peace  of  Ryswick 
in  1 697,  there  was  no  safety  North  and  West  of  Albany  outside 
of  the  fortifications.  Many  forsook  their  plantations  and  sought 
places  of  greater  security,  and  it  is  a  matter  of  surjmse  that  the 
hardy  jtioneers  of  Schenectady  clung  to  the  soil  in  the  midst  of 
such  discouragements.  It  argues  well  for  their  jduck  and  en- 
durance. 

Until  1700  the  church  was  without  a  pastor,  and  indeed  it 
does  not  api)ear  that  the  people  had  any  religious  privileges,  ex- 
cept such  as  might  be  had  by  a  visit  to  Albany,  until  1694,  when 
Domine  Dellius  began  to  minister  to  them  occasionally.  His 
first  recorded  visits  this  year  were  on  the  11th  of  April  and  9th 
of  October,  on  which  occasions  new  members  were  added  to  the 
church  and  children  baptized.  In  1 695  he  came  four  times,  viz  : 
on  the  2d  Jan.,  27th  Mar.,  26th  June  and  9th  October.  In  1696 
five  times — Jan.  8th,  Ap.  15.  July  1,  Sept.  19th  and  Dec.  .30th. 
In  1697  three  times — Ap.  6th.  June  30th,  and  Nov.  10,  and  in 
1698  four  times— 27th  xVp.  20  July,  19th  Oct.,  and  28th  Dec. 
In  all  eighteen  visits  in  five  years. 

Ill  1699  Domine  Dellius  returned  to  the  Fatherland  and  Do- 
mine Johannes  Petrus  Nucella  succeeding  to  his  place  as  minis- 

*  "  Dom.  Petrus  Tesschenmaker  the  minister  at  Schenectady  has  met  with 
misfortune.  He  and  most  of  his  congregatoin  were  surprised  at  night  and 
massacred  by  the  P'rench  and  Indians  in  their  interest.  His  head  was  cloven 
open  and  his  body  burned  to  the  shoulder-blades."  Domine  Selyns  to  the 
Ciassis  of  Amsterdam.      Anthology  of  New  Netherland,  p.   Il6. 

+  Patents,  IV,  902. 

I  1692,  2  Nov.  Upon  readine;  Anoyr  Peticon  of  the  sd  Representatives  [of 
the  county  of  Richmond]  setting  forth  that  Mr.  Tuscheniaker  having  some 
reall  and  personall  Estate  in  Staten  Island  was  killed  by  the  French  and  In- 
dians at  Schenectady  and  in  his  lifetime  had  promised  the  sd  Estate  to  the 
Poor  haveing  noe  heirs,  praying  an  order  for  the  some. 

The  srt  Peticon  is  likewise  referred  to  the  Attorney  Generall  who  is  to  re- 
port what  may  be  proper  therein  to  be  done.  Leg.  Council,  4,  28. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  69 

ter  of  Albany,  visited  Schenectady  once — on  tlie  31st  of  August. 
The  following  year  he  came  twice,  viz :  on  the  9th  January  and 
2oth  May. 

The  number  of  members  added  to  the  chureh  by  tliese  two 
ministers  was  twenty-five;  the  number  of  children  baptized  sev- 
enty-six, seven  of  whom  were  Indians. 

Taking  into  consideration,  therefore,  the  fact  that  at  this  time 
all  children  were  christened,  some  idea  may  be  formed  of  the 
number  and  increase  of  the  population  when  only  sixty-nine  were 
baptized  in  six  years. 

During  the  same  period  five  couples  were  maried  by  Domine 
Dellius  and  seven  by  Johannes  Glen,     '■'•  Justis  Van  de  peace." 

But  no  sooner  was  })eace  proclaimed  in  1697  than  both  village 
and  church  began  a  new  career  of  prosperity.  Within  five  years 
a  second  minister  was  called,  and  a  new  and  larger  house  of 
worship  Avas  erected. 


CHAPTER  I  [I. 

1700-O.       DOMIXE    BARXARDUS    KREEMAX,  *    SECOXl)    MIXISTER    OK 

THE  CHURCH  axd  missioxary  to  the  .aiouawks. 

When  Domine  Dellius  returned  to  Holland  in  1693,  his  church 
gave  him  leave  of  adsence  for  ten  months,  but  subsequently 
commissioned  William  Baucker  and  others  of  Amsterdam  to 
procure  another  minister  in  case  he  remained  beyond  that  time. 

This  commission  was  in  the  following  words  : 
[translation]. 
Gentlemen  : 

By  Capt.  Band  on  the  8th  June  was  our  previous  [letter  sent] 
to  you  with  the  accompanying  instructions  concerning  the  re- 
turn of  Mr.  Dellius,  and  ho])e  it  was  [recei\ed]  by  you  ;  not 
doubting  that  you  took  careful  thought  that  at  the  limited  time 
then  expressed  it  may  be  accomplished  in  a  proper  manner.  Our 
fellow  brother,  Evert  Bancker,  has  showns  us  certain  writings 
of  his  brother  [Willem]  Bancker  of  Amsterdam  to  have  a  care 
*  He  sometimes  wrote  his  name  Freeman,  but  oftener  Freerman. 


70  HISTORY  OF  THE  (  II rKCir. 

that  the  coiiiinissioii  which  should  advance  the  call  of  a  preacher 
mav  not  limit  him  t<>  the  Kevereiid  Classis  of  Amsterdam  alone: 
— and  now  we  understand  from  ]\Iessi-s.  Peter  Van  I5eu<fhn  an<l 
Mvudert  Schuyler  hy  another  account  how  that  last  voyage  a 
certain  proper  person  was  proposed  by  you  for  a  ]>reacher  at 
Xew  York,  but  afterwards  the  aforementioned  Classis  would  not 
hear  to  it,  and  this  gave  you  great  dissatisfaction.  If  Doinine 
Dellius  does  not  give  perfect  assurance  to  you  of  his  retuiii  herP. 
well  iinderstanding  that  he  must  take  ship  from  England  in  good 
time  ;  that  is  within  ten  months  after  his  departure  from  here, 
we  desire  whenever  you  can  not  come  to  an  understanding  with 
the  aforementioned  Classis,  to  serve  yourself  with  such  a  Classis 
as  vou  shall  find  convenient,  hoping  that  you  with  De.  Dellius, 
or  in  his  absence  by  your  own  Godly  and  good  conduct,  may 
effect  the  accomplishment  of  our  desire ; — that  is  a  veiy  proper 
])erson,  rather  a  young  man  than  a  married,  be  he  a  liachelor 
of  Divinity,  who  is  to  be  made  a  preachei-,  or  one  who  is  already 
a  pi-eacher.  with  needful  gifts,  just  as  it  shall  appear  best  ;  and 
next  summer  may  he  come  to  us  in  love  and  unity  to  salvation, 
that  God's  churches  may  no  longer  remain  waste  without  a 
teacher. 

Albany,  1699,  Nov.  lo. 

Messrs. 

Yours  to  sen'e : 
the  elders  and  deacons  of  the  Church  of  Christ  of  Albany. 

ALIJEIIT  KYKEMAN, 
P.  SCHUYLEH, 
JACOB  LOKERI^IANS, 
ANTHONY  BKIES, 
JOHN  CUYLEK, 
EVERT  BANCKER.* 

Messieurs  : 

*Met  Capt.  Band  op  de  8  Juny  oure  voorgaende  om  Ul ;  me  doe  by  gaende 
Instruction  wegens  het  verbreck  van  de  heer  dellius  &  verhope  Ul  ;  syne  tyd 
is  ge  worden  nist  twivelende  dan  Ul  ;  neempt  soryvuldige  agthinge  dat  tot  de 
be  paelse  tyd  doen  maels  geer  presseertin  geen  derly  manierxs  mag  tae  ged- 
aen  werde.  Onse  mede  Broder  Evert  Bancker  heef  ons  Vertoond  Seker  an- 
schrivens  van  syn  Brod  ;  Bancker  van  Amsterdam  ; — om  sorg  to  hebben  dat 
de  gecommittend  (?)  die  het  Bersopvan  aen  predicant  sonden  Vorderen  niet 
mogte  bepaelt  syn  alleen  an  de  E.  Classis  van  Amsterdam  ;  dochquam  na  oure 
verhael  ho  dat  laeste  Reis  seker  bequaem  persoon  doer  Ul ;   was  Voergestelt 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


In  the  execution  of  tlie  above  commissian,  William  Bancker, 
being  then  in  Amstenhini,  selected  Do  liarnhardus  Freernian, 
and  on  the  otli  of  Mavcli,  1700  gave  him  the  following  call: 

In  accordance  with  tlie  commission  of  the  Consistory  of  .\1- 
bany,  of  date  the  loth  November,  1699,  to  me  given,  to  select 
for  the  church  a  proper  person,  either  a  preacher  or  a  student  of 
theology,  and  after  a  i)ro[)er  (jualitication  to  send  him  over: — 
80  it  is  that  I,  the  subscriber,  having  observed  the  good  and  edi- 
fying conduct  of  Do  Barent  Freeman,  Bachelor  of  Theology,  to 
the  same  in  the  fear  of  God  the  aforewritten  call  have  offered, 
to  the  end  that  his  Reverence  the  churcli  of  Jesus  Christ  in  Al- 
bany Avith  the  Holy  Ministry  may  serve  and  upbuild,  with  the 
preaching  of  God's  word  upon  the  Lord's  day,  as  also  during  the 
week,  so  far  as  it  may  be  convenient ;  also  the  Holy  Sacraments 
to  administer,  the  church  discipline  to  exercise  to  edification, 
and  in  prayers  to  visit  the  sick  to  consolation,  diligently  to  Cat- 
echise, and  also  four  times  a  year,  at  the  request  of  the  Rever- 
end Consistory  aforesaid,  to  preach  at  a  village  named  Schenec- 
tady and  administer  the  sacraments  ;  aiul  to  conduct  himself  in 
all  other  respects  as  God  of  his  faithful  servants  requires  as  an 
example  to  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ.  All  for  a  salary  therein 
agreed  ui)on.     And  seeing  that  the  aforesaid  Do  Freeman  this 

Voor  predicant  tot  N.  Yorke,  Waer  no  de  ge  melde  Classis  niet  wilde  horen  ; 
&  dat  suek  Ul ;  groot  ouvergenoegs  gap.  Indien  De.  dellius  niet  geep  Volk- 
ome  nytslog  aen  Ul ;  Wederkomste  hier,  Medt  Verloop  Van  Voors  ;  tvdt  uyt 
England  wear  scheep  moet  gaem  ;  dat  is  nae  syn  vertreek  vap  hier  binner  tier 
maenden  ;  Versooke  \vy  wauneer  Ul ;  salgoed  Vinden  ;  Verhopende  Ul  ;  met 
de  meer  gemelde  Classis  niet  konde  over  aen  housea  Ul ;  salgoed  Vinden  ; 
— Verhopende  Ul ;  met  Dellius  ofin  syn  absentie  gyl  ;  doer  Godvrughtige 
yver  en  goed  beleidt  magh  beschikke  de  overkomste  van  ouse  Begere  ;  dat 
's  een  pray  bequaem  persoon,  liver  een  jong  man  als  getrowt  hetsy  proponent 
die  daer  predikant  vverd  gemaekt  of  selfs  een  peedikant,  met  nodige  gowen 
SCO  als  het  baste  sail  voorsalle  ;  en  naest  komende  somer  tyd  by  ons  magh 
com*'  in  liefee  en  enigheit  tot  salighat,  op  dat  de  Iv.  K.  gaies  niet  langer 
sender  beroer  magh  varwoestan  soo  bliven. 

Albany  1699  Nov.  15.  Messieurs.  Ul ;  Dienst  willige. 

oud  ;  en  diaconen  der  kerke  Jesu  Christe  van  Albany. 

ALBERT  RYKEMAN, 
P.  SCHUYLER, 
JACOB  LOKERMANS, 
ANTONY  BRIES, 
JOHOUNES  CUYLER, 
EVERT  BANCKER. 


72  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

above  written  call  has  also  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  aeeepted,  and 
it  is  now  needful  for  the  carrying  out  of  the  same  that  his  Rev- 
erence should  be  further  and  innnediately  examined,  and  after 
the  examination  be  ordained  to  Holy  ministry  witli  the  laving 
on  of  hands.  So  we  liave  requested  the  Reverend  Rrethren  of 
the  Reverend  Classis  of  Lingen  that  tliey  would  execute  this 
Holy  design,  not  doubting  that  such  would  redown  to  tlie  glory 
of  God's  Holy  name,  and  the  upbuilding  of  Jesu.s'  church  there. 
Done  in  Amsterdam  the  5th  of  March  in  the  vear  1700. 

WHJJAM  BANKER.  * 

De.  Freeman,  the  subject  of  the  above  call,  was  a  man  of  ma- 
ture  age,  a  native  of  Gilhuis  in  the  county  (Graafschap)  of  Ben- 
them.  In  1698  he  was  a  member  of  the  church  of  Amstenhun, 
and  on  the  9th  of  March  of  that  year  was  licensed  to  preach  by 
the  Classes  of  Worden  and  Overrhynland.  Immediately  after 
the  above  call  from  the  church  of  Albany,  he  was  ordained  by 
the  Classis  of  Lingen  (16tli  March,  1700),  and  departed  for  his 

*  Volgens  de  commissie  Van  de  kerckenraedt  van  Albany  var.  datum  den  5 
Nouember  Anno  1699  aan  my  verleent  our  een  bequaem  persoon  tsy  predi- 
kant  of  proponent  voor  de  kercke  uyt  te  kiesen  en  na  bahoorlyge  qualificatie 
dervvaerts  over  te  senden.  So  itsdat  sch  ondergeschevener  Gelet  hebbende 
op  de  Goede  en  stigtelyke  gaven  en  bequaemheden  als  mede  op  het  vroom  en 
en  Seer  stigtelyk  gedragh  van  De.  Barent  Freerman  Proponent  in  de  H.  the- 
ologic  den  selven  in  de  Vreezegods  de  voorschreven  Beraepinge  geoffersert 
hebbe,  ten  einde  eyn  Eerwaerde  de  Kerke  Jesu  Christi  in  Albany,  met  den 
H.  Predica-dienst  en  opbouvven  met  het  predicken  van  Gon's  woord  op  den 
dag  des  lieren  als  00k  in  de  week,  soo  als  daes  in  gebruick  is,  00k  de  H. 
Sackramenten  te  Bedienen  de  Kercklvke  discipline  to  t  stigtinge  te  offenen  en 
in  de  gebeden  den  Cranken  te  Besooken  tot  troost  Cn.tagesatic  wel  waer  te 
nemen  en  ook  viermael  hoers  od  het  versook  van  de  Eerwaerde  Kerckenraad 
voorz  :  of  een  dorp  genaempt  Schoneghtade  te  predicken  en  de  Sackeraments 
te  bedienen  in  alles  Verder  dat  God  van  syne  trouwe  dienaers  eyscht  sich  te 
gedragen  als  een  voorbeelt  der  gemeente  Jesu  Christi  alles  op  een  tractament 
daer  taestande  en  de  wyle  de  vaer  naemde  de.  Freeman  dese  voor-schrevens 
Berapinge  ook  in  de  vrese  des  heren  heeft  aengenomen,  en  nu  nodig  is  dat  tot 
uytooninge  van  deselve  synd  Eerwaerde  verder  perempoeir  Geeramineert 
worde  en  na  gedane  examen  in  den  H.  dienst  met  oplegginge  der  handen 
worde  Beverstight,  soo  versoeken  wy  de  E.  Bryderen  van  de  E.  classis  van 
Lingen  datoe  liver  dit  H.  Voornemen  te  achterolgen  niet  tweifelende  ofoulks 
sal  dienen  tot  groot  mokinge  van  God's  H.  naem  en  opbouw  van  Jesu  Kercke 
aldaer. 

Actum  in  Amsterdam 
den  5  Maart  Anno  1700.  WILLIAM  BANKER. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  73 

distant  charge  accompaniod  by  Do.  Johaiuics  Lydius.  On  the 
20th  of  July  tliey  arrived  in  An)any  wlieie  the  latter  remained, 
while  the  former  passed  on  to  Schenectady,  and  on  tlie  18th  com- 
menced liis  labors  as  pastor  of  the  church  and  missionary  to  the 
Mohawks.  His  appointment  to  the  latter  office,  brought  about 
doubtless  after  his  arrival  in  New  York,  fui-nislies  a  i-eason  for 
the  change  in  his  destination. 

Domine  Dellius  had  filled  the  same  office  many  years,  and 
both  for  political  as  well  as  religious  reasons  it  was  con- 
sidered im})ortant  to  continue  so  powerful  an  agency  among  the 
native  tribes. 

In  regard  to  this  matter  the  Earl  of  Bellomont,  Governor  of 
the  Provinces,  said  to  theassembledSachemsof  the  Five  Nations 
on  the  26th  of  August,  1700.  *  *  *  "  I  have  sent  to  Eng- 
land for  ministers  to  instruct  you  in  the  true  Christian  religion. 
I  expect  some  very  soon  ;  for  the  present  I  shall  settle  Mr. 
Yreeman,  an  able  good  minister,  at  Schanectade,  who  I  intend 
shall  be  one  of  those  that  shall  be  ap})ointed  to  instruct  you  in 
the  true  faith.  He  Avill  be  near  the  Mohaeks,  and  in  vour  wav 
as  you  came  from  [the]  several  castles  to  this  town,  [Albany,], 
and  will  take  pains  to  teach  you.  He  has  promised  me  to  apply 
himself  Avith  all  diligence  to  learn  your  language,  and  doubts 
not  to  be  able  to  preach  to  you  therein  in  a  year's  time."  * 

In  a  communication  to  the  Board  of  Trade  the  Governor  savf*: 
"  I  send  your  Lordships  a  copy  of  Mr.  Freeman's  Letter.  He  is 
the  Dutch  minister  at  Schenectady  and  a  very  good  sort  of  a 
man."  -j-     *     *     *     *  . 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  letter  referred  to : 

Schenegtade  the  6th  Jan.  1700-1. 
May  it  please  your  Excellency. 

I  have  received  your  Excell^is  letter  of  the  loth  Nov""-  1700, 
whereby  I  understand  that  your  Excell<=y  Avas  satisfied  with  what 
I  had  done  to  promote  the  Gos])el  among  the  Indians,  I  shall 
also  use  my  utmost  to  intreat  them  to  be  firm  in  the  allegiance 
to  His  Maj'y  and  for  as  much  as  aj^pears  to  me  they  are  good 
subjects  to  His  Maj^>'  whereof  they  desire  me  to  give  your 
Excell*^y  an  account. 


*  Col.  Doc.  IV.  727. 
+  CoL  Doc.  IV.  8-,-v 


10 


HISTORY  OP"  THE  CHURCH. 


Your  Excell'^y  may  remember  that  there  are  not  above  one 
hiuuh-ed  ^Nlaqiuisse  in  number,  thirty-six  whereof  have  embraced 
the  Christian  faitli,  ten  whereof  throuirli  the  t^race  of  Gotl  are 
brouglit  over  tlu-ou<;h  my  means,  for  I  found  but  twenty  six. 

I  shall  do  niy  utmost  with  the  rest.  So  wishing  your  Excell'^y 
a  liappv  new  year  and  continuation  of  you  liealth,  recommend- 
ing myself  to  yonr  favour, 

I  remain,  your 
ExcelK'*^^  most  obedient  Servant." 

B.  FREERMAN.* 

As  Albany  was  the  headquarters  of  Indian  trade  as  well  as 
of  the  yearly  Council  held  with  the  Five  Nations,  De.  Lydius 
was  also  appointed  to  instruct  the  natives  in  the  Christian  faith, 
and  "  ye  l)ettar  to  enable  him  to  serve  them  in  ye  work  of  the 
Gospell  ye  Interpretesse  [Ilillitie]  f  w;is  appointed  to  be  his  as- 
sistant in  that  affair  as  formerly."  j     *     *     * 

In  the  five  years  spent  at  Schenectady  De.  Freeman  became 
well  versed  in  the  Indian  tongue  so  as  not  only  to  preach,  but  to 
write  in  it.  In  this  he  was  assisted  by  the  Provincial  interjire- 
ter,  Lawrens  Claese  (Van  der  Volgen),  a  member  of  his  church. 
And  so  attached  were  the  natives  to  him  that  five  years  after  he 
left  Schenectady  they  petitioned  Governor  Hunter  for  his  reap- 
pointment, ''  and  that  he  live  [with  us]  at  our  Castle  and  not  at 
Schinnectady  nor  Albany."  || 

The  condition  of  the  Indian  mission  in  1710  is  set  forth  in  a 
letter  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Barclay  to  the  Secretary  of  the  So- 
ciety for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts : 

Albany,  Sept.  26,  1710. 
"  Since  tlie  death  of  ]\lr.  Lydias  the  Indians  have  no  ministers  ; 
there  are  about  thirty  communicants  and  of  the  Dutch  church, 
but  so  ignorant  and  scan(hxlous  that  they  can  scarce  be  computed 
Christians.  The  Sachems  of  the  Five  Nations,  viz :  of  the 
Masque,  Oneydas,  Onnondagas,  Coyougas  and  Senekas,  at  a 
meeting  with  our  Governor,  Col.  Hunter,  at  Albany  the  10th  of 
August  last,  when  his  Excellency  in  his  speech  to  them,  asked 

*Col.  Dnc.  IV.  835. 

t  Hillite  was  a  half-breed, — sister  of  jacques  Cornelise  Van  Slyck.  She 
married  Pieter  Danielse  Van  Olinda. 

I  Lord  Cornbury  to  the  Five  Nations,  1 702.  Col.  Doc  IV.   983. 

II  Col.  Doc,  V,  227. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


them  if  they  were  of  the  s:\nie  mind  with  tliose  four  Indians 
tliat  had  been  over  with  Col.  Schuyler,  in  desiring  missionaries 
to  be  sent,  and  they  answered  they  were,  and  desired  to  have 
forts  built  among  them  and  a  chnrch,  and  that  Mr.  Freeman, 
present  minister  of  the  Dutch  congregation  at  Flatbush,  near 
New  York,  be  one  of  those  missionaries  which  the  Queen  prom- 
ised to  send  them.  This  Mr.  Freeman  five  years  ago  was  min- 
ister of  Schenectady,  and  converted  several  of  the  Indians ;  he 
l)as  acquired  more  skill  in  their  language  than  any  Dutch  min- 
ister that  has  been  in  this  country,  and  Mr.  Dellius  is  not  so 
well  skilled  in  that  tongue ;  a  great  part  of  our  Liturgy  he  has 
translated  into  the  Indian  tongue ;  in  particular  morning  and 
evening  prayers,  the  litany,  the  Creed  of  St.  Athanasius,  &c., 
besides  several  places  of  the  old  and  new  Testament.  He  told 
me  when  he  read  to  them  the  litany  they  were  mightily  affect- 
ed by  it.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  good  temper,  and  will  affected 
to  our  church,  and  if  there  was  a  Bishop  in  this  part  of  the 
world,  would  be  persuaded  to  take  Episcopal  ordination.  I 
often  entreat  him  to  go  over  to  England,  but  he  is  afi-aid  of 
the  danger  of  the  voyage,  and  his  wife  will  not  consent  to  live 
among  the  Indians.  He  has  promised  to  give  me  his  manu- 
script, and  what  he  has  done  into  the  Indian  tongue."*     *     * 

Probably  this  was  the  fii-st  attempt  made  to  translate  the 
church  service,  or  portions  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  into  the  lan- 
guage of  the  Mohawks.  In  addition  to  the  morning  and  even- 
ing prayers,  De.  P^reeman  translated  "  the  whole  of  the  Gospel 
of  St.  Matthew,  the  three  first  chai>ters  of  Genesis,  several  chaj)- 
ters  of  Exodus,  a  few  of  the  Psalms,  many  portions  of  the  Scrip- 
tures relating  to  the  birth,  passion,  resurrection  and  ascension  of 
our  Lord,  and  several  cha})ters  of  the  first  E2:)istle  of  the  Corin- 
thians, particularly  the  fifteenth  chai)ter,  ])roving  the  resurrec- 
tion of  the  dead.     But  his  work  was  not  printed."  f 

A  copy  having  been  presented  to  the  "  Society  for  the  Propa- 
gation of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  ])arts,"  was  given  to  their  mis- 
sionary. Rev.  William  Ancb-ews,  who  was  sent  out  in  1712,  and 
by  him  printed  in  New  York  two  years  afterwards. 

*Doc.  Hist.  Ill,  540. 
f  Col.  Doc.  VIII,  815. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


The  salary  of  tlie  early  ministers  of  this  church  was  one  hun- 
dred pounds  New  York  currency  ($250),  house  and  garden  rent 
free,  ]):istnrasi;e  for  two  cows  and  a  horse,  and  sixty  coi-ds  of 
wood  delivered  at  the  parsonage.  The  salary  connnenced  from 
the  day  the  Domine  sailed  from  Holland  and  the  expenses  of  the 
voyage  until  he  arrived  in  Schenectady  were  paid  by  the  church. 
The  following  is  De.  Freeman's  first  bill,  rendered  August  25, 
1700: 

''16  mar.  1700  to  25  aug.  the  Consistory  is  indebted  to  Domine 
Freeman  ; 

For  current  salary  from  the  16  march  to  the  25th  of  august, — 
is  five  months  and  nine  days  and  amounts  to  a  sum  of  fifty 
l)Ounds  and  something  more, — is  in  sewant,  gl.  2.000  * 

Also  expenses  incurred  on  the  voyage,  in  fresh  provisions, 
wine,  brandy,  vegetables  and  hens,  besides  about  three  weeks 
expenses  upon  the  Isle  of  Wight,— is  the  sum  of  gl.     374 

gl.  2.374 

Schenectady, 

BARNHARDUS  FREERMAN.  f 

The  above  bill  shows  that  the  expenses  of  the  voyage  were 
374  gl.  ($46.75),  and  that  the  whole  amount  of  salary  and  ex- 
penses was  2374  gl.,  or  $296.75.  X 

Trifling  as  this  amount  may  seem,  the  little  community  were 
unable  to  raise  it,  and  on  the  3d  of  September,  1700,  api)lied  to 
the  Common  Council  of  Albany  for  permission  to  solicit  contri- 
butions in  Albany.     In  reply  the  Commonality  advise  "that 

*  Ano  1700  den  i6martius  tot  25  Augustus  is  de  kerkenraat  Debet  an  De. 
freeman 

Voor  de  rerlespon  tractement  vanden  16  maert  tot  25  august  is  5  maenden 
en  9  dagen  en  bedraegt  een  somme  van  fyftig  pent  en  wat  meer  is  an  sew- 
ant.— 2,000 

t  Noch  ankostinge  op  Reise  gehad  so  an  Versche  waren,  wyn,  Brandewyn, 
Creuderye  en  hoenden  neffens  omtrent  dry  weeke  expences  op  het  Eylant 
wigt  is  een  som  tot  374 

gl-  2.374 
Schonegtade 

BARNHARDUS  FREERMAN. 

[See  Church  Papers.] 
I  This  sum  is  exclusive  of  800  gl,  paid  by  the  Albany  church  as  part  of  the 
expenses  of  De.  Freerman's  passage. — Munsell's  Collections,  I,  53,  54. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCPI.  77 

they  iirst  goe  and  Visite  there  own  Congregation,  and  if  they  do 
not  obtaine  said  Sallary  by  them,  then  to  make  their  application 
to  the  Commonality  at  ye  next  Court  day." 

On  the  21st  of  September  tlie  application  was  renewedj 
''Whereupon  ye  Commonalty  have  concluded  and  doe  allow  and 
admitt  two  or  more  of  said  Church  wardens  of  Shinnechtadv  to 
goe  once  Round  for  contribution  to  use  as  aforesaid  from  ye 
inhabitants  of  this  Citty  and  no  more,  in  ye  time  of  the  Sessions, 
which  will  be  first  and  second  of  October  next  ensuiniif."* 

When  Do.  Freeman  was  appointed  missionary  to  the  Indians 
by  Governor  Bellomont,  he  was  promised  a  salary  of  £60 ;  for 
ex])enses  £15,  and  for  the  interpreter,  Laurens  Claese  Van  der 
Volgen,  who  was  his  assistant  £25. 

The  Governor  expected  to  obtain  this  salary  from  the  Corpor- 
ation for  the  propagation  of  the  Gospel  at  Boston,  but  in  case  he 
failed  there,  promised  to  secure  it  for  him  out  of  the  revenue  of 
the  province.! 

It  is  presumed  that  said  corporation  declined  to  assume  this 
burden,  and  as  a  consequence  the  General  Assembly  passed  an 
Act  in  his  favor.  In  a  petition  which  Do.  F'reeman  ad(b"essed  to 
Governor  Cornbury,  in  1 703,  he  affirms  that  "  he  has  taken  great 
pains  in  going  to  their  [Mohawks]  Castles  and  translating  Di- 
vine things  into  their  language  for  ye  easier  bringing  ym  over, 
and  as  he  hopes  with  very  good  success ;  for  wh  reason  a  con- 
tinuance of  ye  said  salary  wasi)romised  him  by  ye  late  Lief  ten  V 
Governour,  Capt.  Nanfan,  and  confirmed  to  yr  Petitioner  by  an 
act  of  Generall  Assembly  of  this  Province,  wh  said  sal laries  (tho' 
tis  now  two  years  since  they  were  first  settled)  are  unpaid,  and 
no  Warrants  have  yet  }>ast  for  any  i»art  thereof."  | 

On  the  death  of  Do.  Lupardus  of  Kings  county,  in  1702,  the 
consistory  of  the  Churches  there  applied  to  Governor  Cornbury 
for  permission  to  call  Do.  Freerman,  ||  who  at  the  same  time 
gave  encouragement  of  his  acceptance.  The  Governor  answered: 

*  Albany  City  Records. 

t  Mr.  Freerman  yck  veresoeck  dat  gyu  da  voor  aen  went  om  dc  heydens 
tot  het  Kristen  geloof  over  te  brengen  en  tot  gerhoorsaemheyt  van  be  konn- 
ing  gy  suit  geensins  on  beetaslt  bly ve.  yck  sal  nu  boston  schryve  die  dispositse 
hebben  van  het  corperasi  gelt  en  yck  Verspreeck  ne  60  pous  int  yaer  en  so  die 
van  boston  het  wygeren  yck  Versekere  ne  het  yt  de  revenue  van  dese  pro- 
vinci.  etc. — Gov.  Bellomonts  Letter,  Col.  Mss.  XLIV. 

:Col.  Mss.  XLIV,  XLV,  134,  179  LIII  7,  7o. 

II  Doc.  Hist.  Ill  89. 


78  IIISTOKV  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

••  I  have  duly  ConsidiTcd  the  Witliiii  in-titiou  and  haviiitjj 
Ijceii  well  Informed  that  ]\Ir.  Bar.  Ffreemaii  has  niisbeliaved 
himself,  hv  promoting  and  P^ncouraging  the  unliai>i)y  divisions 
among  the  ])eo]»le  of  this  jtrovince,  do  not  think  it  consistent 
with  her  ^lajesties  Service  that  the  s*^  Ffreeman  should  l)e  ad- 
mitted to  be  called  as  is  prayed  by  s'^  petition.  And  the  petition- 
ers are  hereby  required  not  to  call  or  receive  the  s^^  Ffreeman."* 

Fearing  their  mini.ster  might  be  enticed  away  from  them,  tlie 
Consistory  of  tlie  church  in  Schenectady  tlie  next  year  jiresent- 
ed  to  Lord  Cornbury  the  following  petition  : 

"  The  humble  Petition  of  the  Church  Wardins  of  the  Nether 
Dutch  Church  of  the  Town  of  Schoneghtede,  sheweth  : 

That  the  four  severall  towns  to  witt :  Midwout  or  Flatbush, 
the  Bay,  New  Utreght  and  Fn-ockland.  by  their  Certain  Avriting 
doth  IndeavourtoDrawMr.  Ixirnanhis  Freeman,  Present  Minister 
of  Schoneghtende,  from  his  Congregation,  who  are  not  able  of 
themselves  Without  your  Excellecy's  assistance  to  gett  another, 
and  since  we,  your  })etitioners,  liavebeen  att  a  great  Charge  and 
trouble  with  assistant  thereunto  from  this  County  for  Defraying 
the  Considerable  Charge  of  Mr.  Barnardus  Freeman's  Passage 
and  other  Charges  that  doth  amonnt  to  the  Valiable  summe  of 
near  u])on  Eighty  Pounds,  so  that  if  the  sd  Mr.  Barnardus  Free- 
man should  be  Drawn  from  us,  as  they  Indeavor  to  Doe,  we 
could  not  Preted  that  such  a  small  Congregation  as  we  are  can 
be  a>)le  to  Send  for  another,  and  they  Who  are  of  a  greater  Con- 
gregation could  had  another  before  this  If  they  had  not  En- 
deavoured to  Deprive  us  their  neiglibors ;  therefore  we,  your 
Lordship's  and  Councill's  Petitioners,  humbly  I'ray  that  yr  Lord- 
ship and  Councill  be  Pleased  to  take  this  our  Great  Case  In 
Your  Great  Wisdom  and  Serious  Consideration  to  give  Such  In- 
couragements  to  the  Instructing  of  the  Indians,  that  we  may  be 
more  Enabeled  to  the  Paying  of  his  Salary  and  your  Petitioners 
as  In  Duty  Bound  Shall  ever  Pray. 

Schoneghtende  the  2nth  of  May^  1703. 
Claes  Wirbessen  [Lawrense.       Johannes  Glenn,  deacon. 
Vander  Volgen]  Elder.  Isack  Swits.  elder. 

Daniel  Jansen  [Van.  Jan  Vrooman,  elder. 

Antwerpen]  deacon.  Claes  Vau    Patten,  deacon. 

Pead  in  Council  24th  June,  1703,  and  rejected,  f 

*Doc.  Hist.  Ill,  89.  '• 

t  Council  Minutes.  Doc.  Hist.  III.  93. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  79 

Not\vithst;ui(liii<>:  the  above  reinonstance  and  the  fact  that 
many  })ersons  in  the  congregations  in  Kings  county  were  disaf- 
fected towards  him,  he  visited  the  Ishmd  and  on  the  second  of 
August  1703  accepted  the  call  under  certain  conditions.*  It 
was  not,  however,  until  the  summer  of  1705  that  he  finally  left 
Schenectady  for  Flatbush.  The  license  thus  to  change  his  pas- 
toral relations  was  granted. by  Governor  Cornbury  on  the  26th 
of  December  of  the  same  year. 

About  this  time  Do.  Yincentius  Antonides,  who  had  been 
called  by  the  disaffected  portion  of  the  churches  arrived  from 
Holland,  and  the  congregations  were  at  once  divided  into  two 
rival  factions,  who  resisted  all  attempts  at  compromise  for  nine 
years. 

Finally,  in  171-i,  peace  was  declared,  and  the  two  ministers 
henceforward  acted  together  harmoniously  as  colleagues. 

Mr.  Freeman  was  maiTied  on  the  2oth  of  April,  1705,  to  Mar- 
garita, daughter  of  Capt.  Goosen  Gerritse  Yan  Schaick,  of  Al- 
bany. They  had  but  one  child — Anna  Margarita,  who  married 
her  cousin,  David  Clarkson,  son  of  Secretary  Matthew  Clarkson. 
He  died  in  17-43,  aged  83  years,  j 

De.  Freeman  was  a  learned  divine.  He  wrote  and  published 
several  works,  among  which  were  : 

*  The  Consistory  of  Flatbush  adlressei  a  letter  to  that  of  Schenectady  stat- 
ing that  most  of  the  congregation  are  in  favor  of  sending  to  Holland  for  a 
minister  and  that  only  so.Tie  "stiff  heads  "  had  enjoined  them  to  make  a  call 
upon  Do.  Freeman. — Strong's  Hist,  of  Flatbush,  p.  88,  and  Joseph  Hege- 
man's  letter  to  Reyer  Schermerhorn,  21  Dec.  1702. 

May  18,  1704,  Do.  Freeman  made  complaint  to  the  Consistory  of  the  church 
in  Albany,  that  they  of  Boston  had  called  him  a  heterodox  and  Anabaptisti- 
cal  teacher  ;  and  desired  a  certificate  of  his  good  character  and  preaching, 
which  was  accordingly  granted. 

31  Oct.,  1705,  Do.  Freeman  appeared  before  the  Consistory  of  Albany 
W'.th  Barent  Wemp  and  complained  that  the  Consistory  of  Schenectady  refused 
to  give  him  a  certificate  of  conduct,  hoping  thereby  to  keep  him  at  Schenec- 
tady.— Albany  Church  Records. 

t  A  letter  was  written  by  Do.  Freeman  Ap.  23,  1741,  translated  by  Rev. 
Dr.  DeWitt,  with  a  preface,  and  published  years  ago  in  the  Christian  Intelli  - 
gencer.  Dr.  DeWitt  says,  "  he  died  at  his  residence  in  Flatbush  at  the  good 
old  age  of  83  in  1743."  Freeman  says  in  this  letter  "I  do  not  think  that  I 
in  my  advanced  old  age,  reaching  my  80th  year,  shall  see  the  erection  of  a 
Coetus,"  &c.  In  a  letter  of  Theodore  J.  Frelinghuysen,  of  date  Jan.  12,  1743, 
he  says,  "  so  long  as  father  Freeman  lived,  "-Sec.  If  therefore,  he  died  in 
1743,  it  must  have  been  between  Jan.   1st  and  1 2th. 


S6  HISTOliY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

1.  A  voluiniie  of  thirty  sermons  entitled.  "Trials  of  Grace  or 
the  Balance,"  printed  at  .Vnisterdani,  1721,  with  a  portrait,  and 
dedicated  to  '"the  menihers  of  the  church  of  Schenectady  V)eins; 
my  first  congregation  in  this  region." 

2.  De  Spiegel  der  self -kennis.      12"- 

3.  A  defense  against  charges  made  in  a  ]>ami)hlet  entitled, 
"The  Comi)laints  of  the  Xether  Dutch  Church  in  New  Jersey  of 
the  acts  of  Theedore  J.  P'relinghuysen,"  1726.     IG"-  * 

During  his  pastorate  of  five  years  in  Schenectady  he  man-ied 
forty  one  couples,  of  whom  twenty  were  Indians. 

Two  hun(h-ed  and  thirty-seven  persons  Avei'e  baptized,  among 
whom  were  one  hundred  an<l  one  natives  :  and  eighty -six  white 
persons  and  fourteen  adult  Indian  proselytes  were  ddded  to  the 
church  on  a  profession  of  faith.  As  a  prerequisite  to  haptism 
the  adult  Indians  were  reipiired  to  accei)t  and  i)rofess  the  twelve 
articles  of  faith,  to  forsake  impiety  and  to  love  Godliness  and 
])romise  to  abide  therein,  t 


CHAPTER  IV. 

1703-24.       IJIII.DIXO  OF  THE  SKCOXl)    CIIURCII.       nO.MINE  THOMAS 
BROWER  THE  THIRD  MINISTER. 

Soon  after  De.  Freeman  came  to  Schenectady,  the  house  of 
worship  then  used  was  found  to  be  too  small  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  inhabitants  and  Indian  proselytes,  but  as  the  little 
community  had  not  yet  fully  recovered  from  the  effects  of  the 
late  incursion  of  the  French  and  their  savage  allies,  the  funds 
necessary  for  a  new  house  could  not  be  raised  without  aid  from 

*  Strong's  Hist,  of  Flatbush,  p.  88,  and  Henry  Onderdonk,  Esq. 

t  Na  dat  sy  de  dwalf  artikelen  des  g  eloofs  hebben  beleden  an  angenomen, 
den  duy\'elrye  en  godloosheden  Versaekt,  de  godsaligheit  bem  int,  en  daer  op 
belooft  Volstauding  te  biiven  en  wee  to  beleven,  dit  gadaen  vynde,  so  syn 
gedoopt  in  de  kerk  ogniondage,   &c. 

First  Church  book,  p.  134. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  81 

abroad.  A  petition  therefore  was  presented  to  Governor  Nan- 
fan,  in  1701,  asking  ))ermission  to  circulate  a  subscription 
throughout  the  Province  for  this  jjurpose.* 

This  petition  being  favorably  received  by  the  Governor  and 
Council,  on  the  27th  of  October,  1701,  he  issued  the  following 
license  to  the  inhabitants  of  Schenectady  to  receive  cortributions 
from  the  people  of  the  Province  for  the  space  of  six  months 
from  that  date,  and  directed  all  justices  of  the  peace,  schouts 
and  other  officers  of  his  majesty  as  well  as  ministers  of  the  Gos- 
pel to  use  their  utmost  endeavors  to  aid  this  laudible  object. 

t "  By  the  Honorable  John  Nanfan,  Esq.,  Governor  and  Com- 
mander in  Chief  over  the  Province  of  New  York  and  territories 
dependent  thereon  in  America,  &g  : 

*  To  the  HonWe  John  Nanfan  Esq""  Lt.    Gouv'"  and  Commandr  in  Chief  oft 
ye  Province  oft    New  York  in   America   and  ye  Honbie  Councell  oft  ye 
same. 

The  humble  Petician  oft  B.irnardus  Freerman  minister  oft  ye  Gospel  att 
Schanegtade  &  Ryer  Schermerhoorn  Esqr  in  ye  behalf  oft  the  Inhabitants 
of  said  Town, 
Sheweth 

That  whereas  the  Town  oft  Schonegtade  hath  been  wholy  destroyed  by 
ye  French  in  ye  late  Warr  &  sins  the  resattling  oft  ye  same  The  Inhabitants 
oft  ye  same  being  verry  low  and  oft  mean  Estates  have  not  bein  able  to  Erect 
a  Place  convenient  for  ye  Publick  Worchip  oft  God,  the  Place  where  itt  is 
now  Exercised  in  nott  bemg  Large  Enough  to  containe  [the]  whole  Assembly 
of  ye  Inhab'tants  &  Indian   Proselytes, 

They  Therefore  humbly  pray  yor  hounds  Lycense  for  the  collecting  a 
free  will   offering  oft   ye  Inhabitants  oft  this  Province    for  ye  buylding  a 
convenient  Place  for  yf  Public  Worship  oft  God  in  ye  town  aforesaid  and 
yor  Peticrs  shall  ever  Pray  &c. 
B.  Freerman,  Ecll.  Skagnagt.  Ryer  Schermerhooren. 

—Col.  Mss.  XLV. 

t  By  den  Honorable  John  Nanfan,  Esq.,  Governour  an  Commandeur  in 
Cheeffe  over  d  Proventie  van  New  Yorke  &  Territories  daeraen  dependeren 
in  America,   &c.  : 

Also  't  Dorp  van  Schinnechtady,  in  d  County  Van  Albany,  heeft  geheelyk 
gedistroyert  geweest  doer  d  Inloopinge  Van  d  Franse  in  de  gewesene  oorlogh 
en  nae  d  herbowen  daervan,  de  Inwoondeeren  hebben  geweest  en  nogh  syn 
in  een  arm  &  leegh  conditie,  dat  sy  niet  maghtigh  hebben  geweest  om  een 
behoorlyk  plaets  op  te  Rechten  vocr  de  gemeene  Godts  Dients  ;  En  also  niets 
Strecklyker  can  syn  voor  d  Vrede  en  Welvaert  desen  provintie  dan  dat  de 
gemeene  dienst  tot  God  Almighty  sy  Punctueelyk  ge  observeert  en  geviert  in 
alle  parten  &  Plastsen  en  besonderlyk  aen  de  frontiers,  in  een  gemeene  en  be- 
kent  plaets  daertoe  geappointeert.  dat  de  Inwoondeeren  en  bewoonders  deser 
provinte  moge  n  door  haer   goede  Example  van  godtvrughtigheyt  en  Relige- 

11 


82  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

Whereas  the  Village  of  Schenectady,  in  the  County  of  Al- 
bany, has  been  wliolly  destroyed  through  the  incursion  of  the 
French  in  the  late  war,  and  after  the  rebuilding  thereof  the  in- 
habitants have  been  and  still  are  in  a  i)Oor  and  low  condition,  so 
that  they  have  not  been  able  to  erect  a  jiroper  place  for  the 
public  worship  of  God  ;  — and  whereas  nothing  conduces  more 
to  the  peace  and  well-being  of  this  province  than  that  the  pub- 
lic worship  of  Almiglity  God  be  juuictually  observed  and  cele- 
brated in  all  parts  and  places  and  especially  on  the  frontiers,  in 
a  public  and  acknowledged  place  thereto  dedicated,  that  the  in- 
habitants snd  sojourners  of  this  province  may  through  their  good 
example  of  piety  snd  religious  reverence  be  bi-ought  over  and 
persuaded  there  to  dwell  to  the  great  strengthening  of  said  fron- 
tier, which  thereby  become  a  defence  for  the  other  i)arts  of  this 
province,  if  a  war  should  again  occin-  between  his  most  Sacred 
Majesty  and  the  King  of  France  ; 

Therefore  I,  by  and  with  the  advice  of  His  Majesty's  council 
for  this  province  and  in  His  ^lajesty's  name,  hereby  give  and 
grant  full  and  free  liberty  and  license  to  the  inhabitants  of  said 
village  of  Scheneetady,  in  said  county  of  Albany,  or  to  such 
person  or  persons  as  by  them  or  the  majority  of  them  shall  be 
employed  to  gather,  collect  and  recei\e  the  free  and  voluntary 
offerings  and  contributions  of  all  and  every  of  His  Majesty's 
faithful  subjecrs, — inhabitants  of  this  Province,  at  any  time  after 
this  date  and  during  the  time  of  six  months  ;  the  said  contribu- 
tions to  be  employed  solely  for  the  erection  and  building  a  neces- 
sary and  becoming  place  for  the  public  worship  of  God  by  the 
Inhabitants  of  said  Village.  And  I  hei'eby,  in  His  Majesty's 
name /equire  all  His  ^Majesty's  justices,  sellouts,  and  all  other 
His   Majesty's  officers   within   this  Province,  together  with  all 

ouse  Eerljiedinge  sy  overgebraght  en  ge  parswadeert  daer  te  woonen  tot  d 
groote  versterking  Van  d  gemezde  Frontiers  die  daer  door  sullen  geworden  d 
Bescherminge  voor  d  andere  parten  van  dese  provintie  in  dien  een  oorlogh 
uytvalt  tuschen  zyn  most  Sacred  Majesteyt  en  de  Franse  Coningh.  Ick  daer- 
om  by  en  met  advice  van  syn  Majesteyts  councill  voordese  provintie  en  in  syn 
majesteyts  naem  hierby  geve  en  vergunn  voll  en  Vry  Libertheit  en  Lycence 
aen  d  Inwoonderen  des  gemelde  dorp  Schinnechtady  in  de  gemelde  County 
van  Albany  oft  aen  sodanigh  Personen  oft  Personen  als  by  haer  sullen  geim- 
plooyeert  syn  oft  by  het  meeste  part  van  haer  to  vergaderen  en  t  Verderen  en 
outfangen  d  vry  en  gewilllge  ofieringe  en  contribusies  van  alle  &  een  yder 
syn  majestyts  getrow  onderdanen  Inwoonders  van  dese  provintie  tot  Enige 
tydt  vandata  deser  gedurende  dan  tydt  en  wyle  van  ses  maenden  Van  dien, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHrKCH.  h8 

Protestant  ministers  in  their  sundry  :infl  resj)ective  counties, 
cities,  colonies,  churclies,  districts  and  juris<li<tions  to  use  their 
utmost  endeavors  and  <lilii;i'nce  to  arouse  the  liberality  of  the 
inhabitants  on  this  occasion,  which  conduces  to  the  honor  and 
service  of  Almighty  God,  the  welfare  of  this  jtrovince  in  j^eneral 
and  for  the  peace  and  security  of  all  the  inhabitants  theieof. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  in  Fort  William  Henry,  in 
New  York,  this  seven  and  twentieth  day  of  Octoljer,  A°  1701, 
in  the  13th  year  of  the  reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord,  William  the 
third,  by  the  grace  of  God  of  England,  Scotland,  France  and 
Ireland,  King.  Defender  of  the  P^aith,  &c. 

Was  signed, 

JOHN  NANFAN. 
pr  order  of  the  Council.      )_ 
B.  Cozens,  Sec.  Coun. ) 

This  ai)peal  to  the  liberality  of  their  neighbors  was  success- 
ful, and  the  church  was  probably  finished  in  the  year  1703.* 
The  site  was  that  of  the  first  house  of  worship,  at  the  junction 
of  Church,  Water  and  State  streets,  and  the  dimensions,  fifty- 
en  de  gemelde  Contribusies  alleenlyk  geimployeert  to  werde  voor  en  tot  het 
opreghten  en  bouvven  van  een  noodigh  en  behoorlyk  plaets  voort  gemeene 
Godts  Dienst  by  Inwoonders  der  gemelde  dorp  van  Schinnechtady,  in  d 
County  van  Albany.  En  hierby  ick  versoek  in  syn  majesteyt  naem  alle  syn 
majesteyts  Justicen  der  vrede,  Schouten  en  alle  andere  syn  majesteyts  offi- 
cieren  binnen  dese  provintie,  als  mede  alle  prostestant  Ministers  in  haer  Ver- 
shyde  &  Respective  Counties,  steden,  colonyen,  Kercken,  Districts  &  Juris- 
dicties  te  gebruycken  &  doen  gebruycken  haer  en  Eyder  van  haer  Uytterste 
deavour  en  neerstigheyt  voor  en  tot  opwercken  de  Inwoonderen  haer  mil- 
dadigheit  op  dese  Occasie,  welcke  dient  tot  d  Eeer  en  Dienst  van  Gott  AI- 
mightigh,  het  goet  Welfair  van  dese  provintie  int  generall  en  tot  d  Vrede  en 
securiteyt  van  een  yder  Inwoonder  daerin. 

Gegeven  onder  my  hant  en  segel  in  fort  William  henry,  in  New  Yorke, 
dese  seven  en  Twentigheste  dagh  van  Octobr,  Ao  1701,  en  int  13d  jaer  der 
Regeringe  van  onsen  Souverainen  heer  William  d  3d  by  d  gratie  godts  van 
England,  Scotlant,  Franckryk  &  Ireland,  Conig  and  Beschermer  des  geloffs, 
&c.  Was  getekt 

JOHN  NANFAN. 
pr  ordr  Van  Councill.  ) 

B.  Cozens,   Sec.   Coun  ) 

*B.  Cozens  Sec.  of  the  Courcil  in  a  letter  to  Reyer  Schermerhorn,  of  date 
30th  Jan.,  1701,  says  "The  Govr  and  Council  have  given  ;i^io  towards  the 
church  at  Schenectady." — Schermerhorn  papers. 


84  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

six  feet  north  and  south,  by  forty-six  feet  east  and  west,  Amster- 
dam measure.  Tlie  burying  ground  adjoined  tlie  elutrcli  upon 
the  west  side  and  was  fifteen  feet  wide  by  fifty-six  feet  long. 
Speaking  of  Schenectady  in  1710,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Barclay 
says  :  ''  There  is  a  convenient  and  well  built  church,  which 
they  freely  give  rae  the  use  of."  * 

Probably  it  was  substantially  built  of  stone,  for  after  its  aban- 
donment in  1734  as  a  i)lace  of  worship,  it  was  used  for  some 
years  as  a  fort,  t  A  wooden  building  A\'ould  hardly  have  been 
devoted  to  such  a  purpo'se.  By  the  year  l7o4  it  had  been  re- 
moved and  the  site  was  successively  occupied  by  a  barracks, 
watch-house  and  market.  | 

In  1792  the  spot  being  vacant,  the  Consistory  proposed  to  erect 
thereon  a  house  at  the  cost  of  £1 70,||  but  it  is  believed  this  project 
was  never  carried  out,  for  in  1794  they  resolved  to  lease  it  to 
Arent  S.  Vedder  for  building  purposes  upon  condition  that  it 
should  never  be  dug  up,  save  so  far  as  was  necessaiy  to  lay  the 
foundations  or  to  set  fence  posts — that  the  foundation  should 
not  be  laid  farther  west  than  where  the  old  church's  west  wall 
stood,  and  that  the  house  built  thereon  should  never  be  used  for 
''Tap-drink-of-  Vrolyk-huys  {so  ah  men  deselve  gewoonbfk  noemt.")*^ 
To  account  for  these  singular  conditions  in  a  deed  of  convey- 
ance, it  is  only  necessary  to  remember  that  this  then  was  looked 
upon  as  sacred  ground,  and  that  here  for  sixty  years,  to  1720, 
the  dead  of  the  village  were  buried.  ** 

The  building  above  mentioned  was  never  erected.  The  next 
year,  1795,  the  Trustees  of  the  Common  lands  resolved  to  make 
an  offer  for  this  lot,ttbut  if  made  nothing  came  of  it,  for  in  1800 
the  Consistory  directed  that  it  "be  projierly  ascertained  and 
marked  out,"  and  in  180.5  agreed  to  lease  it  to  Anne  McFarlane 
for  $10  per  an.,  but  she  was  not  allowed  to  dig  ujion  it. 

*Doc.  Hist.  Ill,  540  ' 

t  Act  of  the   Assembly,  1734  (?). 

JJno.  Mynderse's  will  in  the  Ct.  of  Appeals  office.  .  .  and  Deeds  XII 
Collins  to  Van  Eps. 

II  Consistory  minutes. 

^  Consistory  minutes 

**\Vhen  the  public  cistern  was  built  here  in  184— the  ancient  burial  ground 
was  encroached  upon  and  many  bones  were  thrown  out- 

++  Minutes  of  the  Board. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  85 

The  removal  of  Do.  Freeman  was  a  disheartening  event  to 
the  clnircli.  He  had  gained  the  confidence  of  the  people  and 
considerable  intlnence  over  the  neighboring  Indians.  To  obtain 
another  minister  from  Holland  in  their  present  circumstances 
was  impossible.  They  were  not  only  a  small  but  a  i)oor  people, 
and  without  aid  not  in  a  condition  to  support  a  minister. 

For  the  follo\ving  ten  years  they  were  destitute  of  the  stated 
ministry,  being  only  occasionally  visited  by  the  niinisters  of  Al- 
bany and  other  more  distant  settlements. 

Between  the  j^ears  1705  and  1715  Domines  Johannes  Lydius 
and  Petrus  Van  Driessen,  of  Albany,  Petrus  Vas,  of  Kingston, 
and  Gualterus  Du  Bois,  of  New  York,  made  24  visits  to  Sche- 
nectady, baptising  152  children,  of  whom  19  were  Indians.  In 
all  this  time  the  records  show  but  one  member  added  to  the 
church.  Rev  Thomas  Barclay,  chaplain  to  the  fort  in  Albany, 
preached  occasionally  in  Schenectady.  In  a  letter*  dated  Sep- 
tember 26,  1710,  he  says:  "At  Schenectady  I  preach  once  a 
month,  where  there  is  a  garrison  of  foity  soldiers,  besides  about 
sixteen  English  and  about  one  hundred  Dutch  families.  Thev 
are  all  of  them  my  constant  hearers. 

I  have  this  summer  got  an  English  school  erected  amongst 
them,  and  in  a  short  time  I  ho])e  their  children  will  be  fit  for 
catechising.  Schenectady  is  a  village  situated  uj»on  a  pleasant 
river,  twenty  English  miles  above  Albany,  and  the  first  Castle 
of  the  Indians  is  twenty-four  miles  above  Schenectady.  In  this 
village  there  has  been  no  Dutch  minister  these  five  years  and 
there  is  no  probability  of  any  being  settled  among  them.  There 
is  a  convenient  and  well  built  church,  which  the}'  freely  give  me 
the  use  of.  I  have  taken  the  pains  to  show  them  the  agreement 
of  the  articles  of  our  church  with  theirs.  I  hope  in  some  time 
to  bring  them  not  only  to  be  constant  hearers,  but  com- 
municants." 

As  early  as  1713  the  church  applied  to  Governor  Hunter  for 
permission  to  call  a  new  minister  and  received  his  license  dated 
July  27,  that  year.  On  the  17th  day  of  May,  the  following  year, 
the  Consistoiy  addressed  a  letter  to  William  Bancker,  mercliant 
of  Amsterdam,  and  Rev.  Matthias  Winterwyck,  of  Alphen 
(Dalphin?)  Holland,  authorising  them  to  procure  a  minister  for 

*  Letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel 
in  Foreign  Parts.     Doc.  Hist.  Ill,  540 


86  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

the  church,  and  promising  him  a  salaiy  of  £90  to  commence 
on  his  arrival,  a  dwelling  free  of  rent,  lire  wood  at  the  door,  a 
large  garden,  and  free  ])asture  for  two  cows  and  a  horse.  The 
result  of  this  negotiation  was  the  arrival  of  Domine  Thomas 
Broiiwer  in  July,  1714. 

He  probably  came  from  the  Province  of  Overyssell,  where  he 
had  two  brothers  living  in  1728 — the  one  Gerardus,  at  Zwoll, 
and  the  other,  Theodorus,  minister  at  Dalj)hin. 

He  made  his  will*  on  the  24th  of  November,  1727,  and  died 
on  the  loth  of  January,  1 728.1  He  left  £25 — one-half  to  the 
church  and  the  other  for  the  poor — his  gun,  pistols,  horse,  table 
linen,  &c.,  to  various  members  of  the  family  of  Gerrit  Symonse 
Veeder  and  Johannes  Bancker,  and  his  books,  best  clothing, 
linen,  &c.,  to  his  two  brothers  above  mentioned,  He  speaks  of 
neither  wife  nor  children.  During  his  pastorate  of  twelve  years 
he  married  fifty-three  coui)les,  baptised  five  hundred  and  five 
chil(b-en,  and  admitted  one  hundred  and  eight  persons  to  the 
church. 


CHAPTER  y. 

1728-36.       DOMINE    REINIIARDUS    ERICHZON    THE    FOURTH    MINIS- 
TER.      THE    THIRD    OHTROH    EDIFICE    ERECTED. 

The  fourth  minister  of  the  church  was  Do.  Reinhardus  Erich- 
ron.  His  call,  or  Beroepbrief,  was  dated  30th  march,  1728,  two 
and  a  half  months  after  the  death  of  his  predecessor. 

He  was  ]»robably  a  native,  or  at  least,  a  resident  of  (Troningen. 
North  Holland,  and  before  his  call  to  Schenectady  had  minis- 
tered three  years  to  the  church  of  Hackensack,  Paramus  and 
Schraalenbergh,  New  Jersey. 


*  On  file  in  the  office  of  the  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Appeals. 

t  He  had  been  disabled  by  sickness,  however,  since  the  month  of  August, 
1723,  and  unable  all  that  time  to  perform  the  active  duties  of  his  calling.  An 
assistant  was  employed  to  do  his  work,  but  the  records  do  not  give  bis  name- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  87 

The  Consistory  of  Schenectady  agreed  to  give  him  a  salary 
of  £100  ($250),  a  parsonage  house  in  good  repair,  a  garden  kept 
in  fence,  pasture  for  a  horse  and  two  cows,  and  tire-wood  at  tlie 
door. 

Sixty  or  seventy  loads  of  wood  was  the  Domine's  ainnial 
supply  in  these  early  times.  For  this  pur[>ose  a  bee  was  made  usu- 
ally in  the  month  of  January.  The  congregation  then  turned  out 
with  their  teams,  and  in  from  one  to  three  days  his  yard  was 
filled.  The  Consistory  made  a  bountiful  ))rovisi()n  for  the  enter- 
tainment of  the  bee  makers  on  these  occasions,  as  appears  by  the 
following  extracts  from  the  treasurer's  books. 
16  Jan.   174f  to  Johaimes  DePeyster  for  five  gallons  of  Rum 

for  the  Domine's  See  c  3-6 £0-17-6 

19  "  to  Pieter  Groenendyk  for  \  gall,  wine . .  4-0 

23  "  to  Metie  Fairly  for  use  of  the  house  at 

the  bie 4-0 

1748,  28th  Ap.  to  Jacobus  Mynderse  for  rum  for  the 

Domine's  bee 3-1 2-2 

1749  Jan.  Beer  for  the  bee 1-14-6 

1751  Jan.  1  for  rum  and  sugar 1-  7-6 

"  2  for  beer 0-12-0 

"    Ap.  28  to  Anna  Wendell  for  house  hire  twice  for 

a  bee -  9-0 

to  Isaac  Abr.  Truex  for  rum  and  sugar  *  1-13,  6 
During  the  eight  years  of  his  pastorate  here  he  married  sev- 
enty-nine coui)les,  baptised  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  chil- 
dren and  received  two  hundred  and  six  members  to  the  church. 
Domine  Erichzon  left  Schenectady  in  October  1736,  hav- 
ing received  a  call  to  the  church  of  Freehold  and  Middle- 
town,  N.  J.,  where  he  remained  until  "  compelled  to  discontinue 
his  ministry  on  account  of  intemperence,  whether  from  an  act  of 
suspension  by  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  or  not  is  not  known.  The 
evidence  in  the  case  was  conclusive.  The  charge  was  brought 
by  Mr.  Williamson,  who  had  seen  him  intoxicated  upon  the  pub- 

*  l6  Jan.   174I,  aan  Joh:  de    Peyster  voor  4  gall:  Rhum   voor  Do 

bee  a.  3  sh-  6  d £0-1^-6 

19  do.  aan  Pr  Groenendyk  voori  gall:  wyn -  4-0 

23         aan  Metje  Fairly  voor 't  buys  gebruyck  op  de  bee -  4-0 

1748  28  ap.  an  Jacobus  Mynderse  voor  rum  voor  Dom^  Bee ;^3-I2-2 

Jan.     Bier  voor  de  Bee 1-14-6 

Old  church  records. 


88  HISTORY  OV  THE  CHURCH. 

lie  roivd.  He  remained  five  or  six  years  in  Monmouth,  N.  J., 
livini^  in  the  parsonage,  and  there  is  reason  to  believe  (says  Mr. 
Marselis),  that  he  abimlDiien  his  evil  habits.  He  and  his  wife 
removed  to  New  Brunswick  about  1770  and  lived  with  his  daugh- 
ter.    Here  he  probably  died. 

His  widow,  it  is  said,  returned  to  Monmouth.  His  first  wife, 
Mary  Provoost,  he  married  on  the  22nd  of  May,  1726,  whilst 
minister  of  the  church  of  Hackensack.  They  had  a  daughter, 
Anna,  born  in  Schenectady  in  1729,  and  two  sons — William, 
born  in  Freehold  in  1737,  and  David,  born  in  1740.  His  second 
wife  was  Mary  Luyster,  widow  of  Rulif  Brokaw.  and  daughter 
of  Johannes  Luyster  and  Lucretia  Brower,  of  Middletown.  N.  J. 

It  is  not  known  that  Do.  Erichzon  published  anything.  The 
tradition  respecting  him  is  that  he  was  a  man  of  learning  and 
of  superior  pulpit  talents.* 

His  ministry  in  Schenectady  seems  to  have  been  a  successful 
one.  Since  the  treaty  of  Utrecht,  in  1713,  the  country  had  been 
at  peace,  and  wealth  and  population  increased  rapidly. 

Our  villiage  was  no  exception,  and  before  the  church  erect- 
ed in  1703  had  stood  thirty  years  the  population  had  outgrown 
its  capacity,  and  it  became  necessary  to  erect  a  larger. 

This  matter  began  to  be  agitated  soon  after  Do.  Erichzon  be- 
came pastor,  and  instead  of  ai)pealing  to  their  neighboi-s  for  aid 
as  in  the  former  case,  the  congregation  was  able  not  only  to 
build  a  house  which  for  the  times  was  both  substantial  and  spa- 
cious, but  also  to  furnish  it  witli  a  bell  and  clock. 

As  a  preliminary  ste})  in  this  new  enterprise,  a  subscription 
paper  was  circulated  through  the  town  in  1730  by  which  £322 
was  obtained,  and  extending  the  appeal  up  the  valley  into  Ma- 
nuns  Land  f\  a  still  further  sura  of  £33-15  was  subscribed  in 
money  and  wheat. 

*  Taylor's  Classis  of  Bergen,  p.  193,  and  letter  of-B.  W. 

Rev.  Gerrit  C.  Schanck,  of  Marlboro,  N.  J.,  has  ''an  old  portrait  of  De. 
R.  Erichzon,  painted  by  Daniel  Hendricksen,  an  Elder  in  the  church  and  in- 
timate friend  of  the  Domine.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  self-taught  artist.  The 
painting  is  not  finely  executed."  [This  painting  was  procured  for  the  Memo- 
rial Exhibition  held  in  the  church  June  21-24.  It  has  been  purchased,  and 
is  now  in  the  possession  of  Dr.  Exichzon's  descendant,  Mr.  Daniel  Vedder. 
w.  E.  G.] 

\  Maquaas  Landt  was  that  part  of  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk  river  lying 
west  of  Amsterdam. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CIHTRCH.  89 

The  following  is  that  portion  of  this  list  made  up  of  Sche- 
nectady names : — 

July,  1730. 

List  of  the  voluntary  gifts  Avhich  Mere  promised  here  at  Sche 
uectady,  in  the  County  of  Albany,  for  the  building  of  a  new 
church  for  the  behoof  of  the  Dutch  Reformed  Church  at  Sche- 
nectady * : — 

We  or  I,  the  underwritten,  j)romise  to  pay  to  Arent  Bratt, 
Jacobus  Van  Dyck,  Dirck  Groot  and  Cornells  Vander  Volgen 
and  Robert  Yates,  Jacob  Swits,  Wouter  Vrooman  and  Jan 
Barentse  Wemp,  Elders  and  Deacons,  or  to  their  successors,  the 
sum  which  we  or  I  subscribe  with  our  hands  so  soon  as  the 
foundation  of  said  church  is  laid ;  and  failing  of  the  same,  we 
or  I  promise  to  pay  ten  pounds  current  money,  if  we  or  I  are 
negligent  in  the  payment  of  the  sum  of  money,  which  I  with  my 
hand  subscribe,  as  witness  our  hands  or  my  hand,  t 
Jellis  Vonda  _  _  .  .  .  drie  pont  J 
Henderick   Vooman  .         _         .         fyf  pont 

Capt.  Harme  Van  Slyck       -        -        -     Ses  pont 
Albert  vedder  -----         drie  pont 
Abraham  Meebie  .        -        .        -     4,  pont 

helmis  Veder     -----         yier  pont 
John  fairley  -         -         -         -         -     3  pont 

IMyndert  Wymp         -         -         -         ■  3  pont 

Pieter  Cornu  -  -  -  -  -  3  pont 
Barent  Vrooman  -  -  -  -  2  pont 
Wyllem  Teller  -  -  -  -  -  4  pont 
Gysbert  V  brakel  -  -  -  -  5  pont 
John  Vrooman      -         -         -         -         -     6  pont 

*  1 730  Den  July,  lyst  van  de  vry  Villige  gift  die  belooft  wert  hierop  Scho- 
nechtade  In  de  County  van  Albany  tot  het  opbouwen  de  luderduytse  gerefor- 
meerde gemynte  hierop  Schonechtade. 

t  Wy  ondergeschreve  of  Ick  and  onderjjeschreven  beloove  to  betalen  aen 
Arent  Bratt,  Jacobus  Van  Dyclc,  dirck  groot,  en  Cornelis  Vander  Volgen,  en 
robbert  eets,  Jacob  Swits,  wouter  Vrooman,  en  Jan  barents  wemp,  ouder- 
lingen  en  dyaconen  of  aen  haer  successeurs  die  som  die  wy  of  Ick  met  myn 
handt  hier  onderteykene  sodra  als  de  gront  slag  van  gemelde  kerck  gelyt 
wert  en  by  mankement  Vandienso  beloove  wry  of  Ick  te  betalen  thien  pont 
corrant  gelt  Indien  wy  of  Ick  nalatig  ben  om  te  betalen  die  som  gelt  die  Ick 
met  myn  hant  hier  onder  Schrive,  ter  getuyge  onse  hande  of  myn  handt. 

X  The  pound  New  York  currency  was  !|2. 5a 

12 


00 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Johannis  Van  Vorst  . 

3  pont 

Johanuis  Marselis 

.     2  pont 

Abram  groot     . 

.     vier  stuck  van  achte. 

Cornelis  Van  Slyck 

.     drie  pont 

Symon  Voder    . 

drie  })Ont 

Keinhart  Erickzon,  pred. 

.     5  j)ont 

Arent  brat 

nege  pont 

Jacobus  Van  Dyck 

.     drie  pont 

dii-ck  groot 

vier  pont 

Cornelis  van  der  Volge 

.     vyf  pont 

Robbert  yets 

vyf  pont 

Yacoep  Swits 

.     2  pont 

Wouter  Vrooman 

twaels(12?)pont 

Jan  Barentse  Wemp 

.     4  pont 

Abram  D  Graaf 

3  pont 

Cornelis  Van  Dyck 

.     3  pont 

Joha.  Sanders  Glen    . 

3  pont 

Jacobus  Peeck 

.     drie  pont 

Aaernout  de  Graaf     . 

vier  pont 

Sander  Lanseng     . 

.     3  pont 

Jacob  Glenn 

acht  pont 

barent  hendrickse  vrooniai 

1  .         .         .     een  pont 

Joseph  Van  Sice 

3  pont 

Abraham  Truax    . 

.     4  j)ont 

Sander  Van  Eps 

2  pont 

Davet  Marinis 

.      1  pont 

Nicolaas  Groodt 

2£ 

Daniel  Danielse  [Van  antw 

erpen]  .         .     3  pont 

Syraon  Vrooman 

4  pont 

Johannys  ouderkerck     . 

2  pont 

Philip  Van  Putte       . 

1  pont 

haerme  Vedder     . 

.     2  pout 

Reyer  Wempel 

3  pont 

Gerret  Van  Vorst 

.     2  pont 

Johanis  Vedder  yu.  [Jr.] 

2     " 

Abraham  Glenn    . 

.     3     " 

Arent  braet,  yu.  [Jr.] 

4     " 

hendrick  Vrooman,  iunier, 

belofte         .     2     " 

William  Peters 

2-10 

Takel  Maerseles    . 

.     2  pont 

HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


91 


.    1 

(( 

2 

a 

.     2 

a 

3 

a 

£19. 

5-14 

2 

pout 

.     2 

u 

Yacobus  Vedder        ....         2  pont 

Adryaen  Van  Slyck 

hariue  m  (?)  Vedder  . 

Cornelus  Veder     .... 

Harmaiius  Vedder     . 

58         , 

Joh :   Visger      .... 
Wilhelmus  Ryckman     . 
lourens  Van  der  Volgen,   Vrywillig     .         6 
Arent  Stevens        .         .         .         ,         .1 
tierk  franse  [Van  der  Bogart]    .         .         4 
douwe  aukis,  geordeneert  voor  hem  of  syn 

erfgenamen    .... 
Pieter  Felinck.     7  stuck  8  of    . 
Johannis  Mynderse 
Johannis  Bleecker     .... 
Sara  Luykes  .... 

Pieter  Winne     -         .         .         .         . 
Cornells  pooetman 
Pieter  Veder      ..... 
Jacop  Vrooman     .... 
Jacop  truex        ..... 
Gysbert  Marsells  junior 
Gerret  C?)  Danielse  [Van  Antwerpen] 
Volkie  wemp     ..... 
Jan  leenderse         .... 

75  ...  . 

bartholomewis  Vrooman 

Jan  Vrooman     ..... 

marya  Van  der  Volgen 

elysabet  van  brakel    .... 

barent  wemp,  junior 

Geertruy  m}iiders      .... 

Sander   Glen  .... 

Jacop  teller        ..... 

antle  beck      ..... 

Jan  dellamond  ..... 


.     3     « 

£2-8 

.  12  gul 

80  guld 

.   12  Shil. 

1  pont 

.     3     " 

2     « 

.     2     " 

3     " 

.     1     " 

6  betaelt  pont 

2 

10  shil. 

£229-4 

.     1  pont 

1-4 

.     1  pont 

2     " 

.     2     " 

4     " 

.     3     " 

2     " 

.     2     " 

3     " 

92 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Capt.  bancks  [Banks]  . 

Jelles  Van  Vorst 

Jacobus  Van  Vorst 

Douwe  Vonda   .... 

anna  lytliall  .... 

Jannyetie  Veders 

elyas  Post     .... 

Jan  Bai)tist  Van  eps 

anna  Wendell 

Catrina  brat       .... 

Cornelya  brat 

eno-elie  Symonse  [Veeder] 

Gerret  Symonse  [Veeder] 

Williani  bancker 

evert  Van  eps        .         •         • 

John  Dunbar      .... 

o-erret  gysbertse  [Van  Brakel] 

gysbert  Van  brakel,  junior, 

Sweer  Marselis 

Joseph  Dance     ;         .         .         - 

Johannis  teller 

akis  brat  .  -         •         •         • 

claes  de  grae! 

daniel  degraaf 

Jjicop  Scherraerhorn 

Johannis  peeck 

Jan  Danielse  [van  antwerpen] 

pieter  danielse  [van  antwerpen] 

Jacop]VIebie  .... 

Pieter  Vrooraan 

arent  vedder 

Jacobus  Peeck,  Junior, 

een  tonne  bier,    . 
Mynderf  van  gyseliiigh      . 
Johannis  haell 

Samuel  brat        .... 
Wilyem  Berret 

[total] 
De  lyst  van  de  val  en  nisKpiaaes  landt 


.  2 

a 

2 

u 

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(i 

3 

a 

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(( 

2 

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.   1- 

10 

G  pout 

.  6  shil. 

6 

u 

.  6 

(( 

1 

pent 

.  6 

(( 

2 

(( 

.  2 

(( 

2 

u 

.  2 

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2 

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.  2 

pont 

3 

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.  3 

a 

2 

a 

.  6 

shil. 

6 

u 

.   1 

pont  4  S. 

2 

a 

.  2 

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2 

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3 

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4 

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.  1- 

-10 

1 

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£322-2. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  93 

De  gelt  belofte  comt       .         .         .    £19-16 

het  core  tege  4-10  pr  sch  .         .         .  13-19 

[£355-17] 

This  sum  did  not  amount  to  quite  one  third  the  cost  of  the 
church,  which  was  £1167-17-10  [$2,919-73].  The  remainder 
was  probably  derived  from  the  accumulations  of  former  years 
and  from  the  sale  of  lands  or  leases — the  gift  of  the  trustees  of 
common  lands. 

After  thorough  preparation  the  work  was  begun  in  the  spring 
of  1732.  Hendrick  Vrooraau  was  Baas*  of  the  men,  of  whom 
seventeen  were  carpenters,  besides  masons,  glaziers,  &c.  His 
wages  Avere  seven  shillings  a  day — the  others  were  }taid  from 
five  to  six  shillings.  The  Preeck-Stoel'f  [puljtit]  was  built  by 
Pieter  Cornu  for  £20,  and  Gysbert  W.  Yanden  Bergh,  of  Al- 
bany, contracted  to  do  the  mason  work  for  £80. 

Among  the  first  articles  of  hardware  purchased  were  : 

twee  vaten  spykers £18-16 

en  een  ocxshoft  rom 13-12 

and  before  the  close  of  the  year  the  latter  article  was  exhausted 
and  more  purchased.  The  same  liberal  supply  was  made  for  the 
year  1733.  | 

This  house  was  dedicated  January  13,  1734,  on  which  occa- 
sion Do.  Erichzon  preached  in  the  morning,  his  text  being  the 
third  verse  of  the  second  clia|»ter  of  Isaiah.  In  the  afternoon 
Do.  Van  Driessen,  of  Albany,  preached  from  the  first  and  sec- 
ond chapter  of  the  same  book. 

The  following  Sabbaths,  January  20th  and  27th  the  pastor 
continued  the  subject  of  his  first  sermon.  || 

*  This  is  a  genuine  Dutch  word  signifying  master  or  chief. 

t  In  1761  the  pulpit  was  newly  adorned  at  an  expense  of  ^^1-14-1  as  follows  : 

aan  casa  Betalt  voor  't  Bekeeden  van  de  Predickstoel ;^o~3-o 

la^-elle  Swarte  Saloen  voor  Predickstoel  te 

Bekleeden  c  2-6  1-10-7 

Kleyne  spikertjes  6d 6 

£1-14-1 
— Church  accounts. 
X  Church  records. 

II  i73|Jan.  13. — De  Eerste  predicatie  gedaen  in  de  nieuwe  Kerche  door 
hear  Doomeny  Erichzon  uit  den  Prophet  Yesaia  het  2  Capittel  Vers  3. — Syn 
inlyding  uit  Luce  22  verse  32  ent  tot  besluit  gesonge  uit  psalm  100  vers  3.  . 
.     .     De  twede  predicatie  gedaen  door  den  lieer  domeny  Van  Driessen  uit 


94  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

This  third  house  was  situated  in  Church  street  at  its  junction 
with  Union  street,  and  was  eighty  feet  in  lengtli.  North  and 
South,  and  tifty-six  feet  wide  ;*  the  Trustees  of  the  town  con- 
veyed to  the  church  not  oidy  this  site  but  also  the  land  around 
the  same  ten  feet  in  width,  except  on  the  West  side,  where  by 
reason  of  the  narrowness  of  the  street,  it  was  limited  to  five 
feet.f  The  building  material  was  blue  sand  stone  or  greywacke 
from  the  quarries  east  of  the  village.  It  had  two  entrances, — 
one  on  the  South  end,  the  other  on  the  East  side,  over  which 
was  built  a  porch  with  a  stair  case  leading  to  galleries.  The 
roof  was  in  Mansard  style,  a  few  specimens  of  M'hich  still  (1860) 
remain  in  the  city.  The  V)ellfiy  and  clock  tower  stood  on  the 
North  end.  As  seen  from  the  East  end  of  Union  street  it  pre- 
sented a  ])k'asing  and  imi)Osing  a])pearanee.  The  tub  shaped 
jmlpit  fixed  ujton  a  narrow  pedestal  and  surmounted  by  a  conical 
sounding  board,  was  built  against  the  West  wall  in  front  of 
which  an  open  space,  was  railed  in  called  the  Doophuisje.  Here 
the  Domine  stood  while  administering  the  rite  of  baptism. 

There  was  a  gallery  upon  all  sides  save  the  West,  whether 
built  with  the  church,  or  at  a  later  day  it  not  known,  as  no  men- 
tion is  made  of  it  before  the  year  1788,  when  it  began  to  be 
occupied  by  adnlt  males  who  could  not  obtain  seats  below.  In 
this,  as  in  other  Dutch  congregations  the  males  and  females  sat 
apart ; — the  former  upon  raised  seats  called  gestoelte,  placed 
against  the  walls  of  the  church,  and  the  latter  in  slij^s  or  bancken 
upon  the  floor  of  the  house. 

In  the  year  1800  three  family  pews  were  constructed.  % 

ded  prophet  Yesaia  35  capittel  vers  i  en  2  en  tot  besluit  gesonge  uit  1 18 
psalm  vers  i. — 20  ditto  [Jan.]  Den  predicatie  uit  jesaia  2,  vers  3  het  middel 
part  en  tot  besluit  gesonge  psalm  25,  vers  22.  27  diito  [Jan.]  De  vierde  pre- 
dicatie uit  jesaia  2  cap.  3  vers  laste  part,  entot  besluit  gesonge  psalm  no  vers 
2. — From  Simon  Volkertse  Veeder's  Bible,  now  owned  by  Mrs.  H.  J.  Bratt. 

*  Church  charter,  Aug.  23.  1734. 

+  Patentees  deed  10  July  1733. 

X  9  July  1800.  Resolved  that  the  two  first  female  seats  at  your  left  hand  on 
entering  the  church  by  the  East  door  and  which  are  vacant  be  divided  into 
three  or  four  square  pews  as  the  case  will  permit,  and  that  when  finished 
they  be  published  for  sale,  reserving,  however,  one  thereof  for  the  minister's 
family 

Mr.  Henry  Yates  took  the  first  pew  as  you  enter  the  East  door. 

The  southeastern  peia  was  sold  to  Joseph  C.  Yates  for  50  Dolls. 

The  middle  pe-w  was  reserved  for  the  minister. 

— Consistory  minutes. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  95 

In  tlie  first  allotment  of  seats  little  regard  was  had  to  family 
relations,  nor  was  there  any  exchange  of  sittings,  and  so  long  as 
the  yearly  rent  was  paid  they  were  the  i>n»|ierty  of  the  occn- 
pants,  but  in  case  of  removal  or  death  passed  to  the  nearest  rela- 
tive of  the  same  sex.  Only  in  case  of  non-payment  of  the  cus- 
tomary rent  was  a  seat  forfeited.  It  was  then  allotted  anew  at 
the  discretion  of  the  consistory.  Every  transfer  of  a  sitting  cost 
the  new  occupant  twelve  shillings,  beside  the  yearly  rent  of  live 
shillnii;s  for  males  and  four  shillin<i:s  for  females.  * 

During  the  eighty  years  that  this  church  stood  but  few  and 
trifling  changes  were  made  in  the  sli])s  or  banckeii  first  erected, 
and  these  chiefly  by  additions  to  accommodate  the  increasing 
congregation.  The  nundjer  of  places  (plaatsen)  occuj)ied  by 
adults  at  different  periods  were  as  follows : — 

Men's  seats.       Meu  in  gallery.     Women's  seats.         Total 

Jn.  1734  8G  0  218  304 

^'    1754  104  0  328  432 

"     1788  125  35  346  506 

From  1788  to  1814  when  the  old  church  was  removed,  new 
comers  could  not  rent  seats  without  great  difficulty  except  in  the 
gallery,  which  being  chiefly  occu])ied  by  boys  and  negroes  was 
not  considered  quite  respectable. 

The  people  worshi])j)ed  on  the  Sabbath  alm9st  to  the  begin- 
ning of  this  century,  even  in  the  coldest  winter  weather  without 
any  other  artificial  heat  than  that  derived  from  foot  stoves. 
The  first  stoves  used  in  this  church  were  bought  in  December, 
1J792,  and  set  up  that  winter.  They  were  }»laced  upon  two  ])lat- 
K)rms  elevated  to  the  height  of  the  gallery,  and  reached  by 
climbing  over  the  balustrade.  It  is  said  that  the  klnkheijer  was 
accustomed  to  replenish  them  at  the  beginning  of  the  Domine's 

*  Jan.  I,  1747-8.  The  seats  (//aate«)  of  those  that  have  not  paid  their 
dues  for  a  year  and  a  day,  shall  be  Sold  except  paid  within  3  weeks,  and  here- 
after seats  shall  be  sold  if  the  occupants  refuse  to  pay  for  9  months.  Also  the 
seats  of  those  who  are  deceased  shall  fall  to  the  church, if  within  a  year  and  six 
months  after  their  decease  said  seats  shall  not  be  assigned. 

1749,  Dec.  31.  Each  woman's  seat  (Vrouweplaatse)  was  rated  at  four  shil- 
lings and  each  man's  seat  (mans  plaatze)  at  five  shillings.  The  right  of  succes- 
sion shall  be  in  the  next  female  and  male,  and  if  this  fail  the  seat  shall  fall  to 
the  church. 

— Consistory  minutes. 

See  Appendix  A. 


5)6  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

sermon  ami  to  notify  to  the  congregation  of  the  importance  of 
his  vocation  \v;i^  particularly  noisy  in  opening  and  shutting  the 
stove  doors.  By  this  arrangement  it  is  said  that  "  the  top  of 
tlie  church  was  comfortable  l)Ut  the  people  below  had  to  carry 
foot  stoves  to  keep  themselves  waiiii."  So  unsatisfactory  was 
this  first  experiment  in  warming  the  cluirch  that  the  matter 
came  up  and  was  discussed  by  the  Consistory,  and  the  result 
was  that  the  elevated  ]»latforms  were  removed  and  the  stoves 
lilaced  upon  the  floor  of  the  cliurch.* 

The  following  bill  for  tliese  stoves  is  translated  from  the  treas- 
urer's book : 

£    s    d 

1792  Dec.  23.  Paid  James  Murdoch  for  2  stoves. .  .  12-15-8 
29  Dec.  To  cash  for  riding  stone  for  the  stove  floor  0-13-3 
Paid  James  McWilliams  for  setting  the  stoves  in  the 

church 0-12-0 

to  a  cart  to  Albanv  to  haul  the     (jr]j-p  (?)  ii'on  for  the 

stoves ' 0-10-0 

to  140^  lbs.  of  iron  l)y  Swits  for  the  small  work  about 

the  stoves 3-10-1^ 

to  1  quart  of  rum  for  the  workmen 0-  2-5 

1793  Jan.     Cash  to  Maas  Schermerhoru  paid 

for  set  (?)  iron,  25  lbs  at  1 1  pence  a  pound 1  -2-1 1 

Cash  paid   Walter  Swits   and  Peter  Symens  for  the 

iron-work  on  the  stoves  f 9-19-6 

£28-05-1 0| 

*  25  Dec.  1798.     Finding  that  the  stoves  in  the  Church  are  not  placed  to 
the  best  advantage  for  casting  of  warmth  to  the  audience,     Resolved 

That  the  Consistory  will  meet   in  the  church  to-morrow  and  endeavor  to 
place  them  to  more  advantage.  — Consistory  minutes. 

+  1792  Dec  23  Aan  James  Murdoch  betalt  voor  2  kaghels ;^I2-I5-  8 

29  aen  cass  voor  Roye  Stein  voor  de  Caghel  vloer 0-13-  8 

aen  James  McWiiliamsbetaelt   de  kaghels  in   de   kirk  te  sette      0-12-  o 
■  aen  Een  wage  n a  Albany  voor  't  gryp  Eysei  an  de  Kakhels  te 

hale o-io-  o 

aen  140^  lb.  Eyser  Door  Swits  voor  clyn  werk  an  de  Kaghels      3-10-   \\ 

aen  i  qart  rom  an  de  werk  Luyde 2-  5 

1703    Jan.     cassa    aen    Maes  Schermerhorn    voorset  eyser   be- 
talt 25  lb  at  II  pens  p  pont I-  2-1 1 

Cassi  betalt  aen  Walter  Swits  in  Pieter  Symens  voor  het  eyser- 

werk  an  Cagels 8-19-  6 

^^58-05-10^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  97 


CHAPTER  VI. 

1731-4.     Till-:  bi:ll  and  clock,     thk  cuartkr. 

On  tlie  10th  Februaiy,  1730-1  a  subscription  was  opcMa'd   for 
a  bell.     The  heading  of  this  pa])er  is  as  follows  : 
Subscriptions  of  2}ersons  /or  the  bell. 

We  the  underwritten  promise  what  we  with  our  own  hands  or 
by  our  own  orders  have  here  subscribed  and  promised,  to  pay 
for  a  new  bell  for  the  Low  Dutch  church  here  at  Schenectady 
♦fe  we  promise  to  }>ay  the  same  to  the  Domine  and  Consistory  of 
the  Low  Dutch  church  of  Schenectady,  viz  : — to  Domine  Erich- 
zon,  Dirck  Groot,  Cornells  Yander  Yolgen,  Harmanus  Yedder, 
Abraham  Mebie,  Jan  Bareutse  \Yemp,  Wouter  Yrooman,  Abra- 
ham De  Graaf  and  Cornells  Yau  Dyck,  or  to  one  of  them,  on  or 
before  the  first  day  of  May  next  coming.  Done  in  Schenectady 
the  10th  of  February  1730-1.  * 

To  this  paper  are  appended  152  names  and  the  amount  raised 
was  £45-(>-6  ($113.31.) 

The  bell  was  procured  in   Amsterdam   and  did    "  good   and 
faithful  service  for  more  than  a  century  until  it  was  cracked  in 
1848."     It  bore  the  following  inscription  : 
De  Klok  van  de  Neder-duidsch  r/emeente  van  Scouechiade  door  Haar 

self  bezorght  anno  1732.      Me  feceruat  De  Grave  et  Muller,  Ayn- 

sterdam/f 

*  Beloften  van  Personen  voor  de  klock, 

Wy  onderschrevenen  Belove  het  Geene  wy  met  onser  Igen  hant  of  door 
onser  Igen  order  hier  onder  geteckent  en  Belooft  hebben  om  Een  Nieuvve 
Kloeck  te  coopen  In  de  Needer  Duytsche  kerck  hier  te  Schenectady  en  Be- 
love het  selve  te  Betalen  aen  De.  Heere  Domine  en  Kercken  rade  van  de 
Needer  duytsche  kerck  van  Schenectady  by  name,  Dom.  ICrichzon,  Dirck 
Groot,  Cornels  Vander  VoUege,  Harmanus  Vedder,  Abra.  Mebie,  Jan  Bar. 
Wemp,  Wouter  Vrooman,  Abraham  De  Graaf,  en  Corns.  Van  Dyck,  of  aen 
Een  Van  haer  en  Dat  Voor  of  op  den  I  day  Van  May  nu  aen  staende. 

Actum  te  Schenectady  den  lo  Feb'y,  1 730-1.  —Church  papers. 

t  "The  bell  of  the  Low  Dutch  Church  of  Schenectady  procured  by  them- 
selves in  the  year  1732." 

"DeGrave  and  Muller,  Amsterdam,  made  me." 

In  1 740  the  church  had  a  public  or  town  clock  purchased,  probably  at  about 

13 


98  IIIStOKV  OF  THE  (  FiriJClI. 

Although  tlie  church  had  owned  considerable  real  estate  more 
than  fifty  years,  it  li.id  no  corporate  existence  in  law,  and  could 
neither  hold  or  alienate  jiroperty  sa\'e  ttirough  individuals  act- 
ing as  its  trustees.  Feeling  the  itrt-carious  nature  of  such  ten- 
ure, when  the  church  edifice  was  finished,  the  Coiisistoiv  |)eti- 
tioned  the  (Jovernor  and  Council  for  a  charter.  * 

Tills  a|i]>licati()n  was  favoralily  c-onsidci'cMl  ;uid  on  the  third 
day  of  August,  1734,  the  following  (liarter  was  gi-anted  under 
the  great  seal  of  the  Province,  f 

(xcorge  the  Second  by  the  Grace  of  (rod  of  Great  IJrittain, 
France  and  Ireland,  King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  ttc.  To 
all  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  sendeth  (Treeting: 

Whereas  we  have  been  informed  by  the  luiml)le  i)etition  of 
our  Loving  Subjects  UiidierdtErickesen,  John  liarentse  [Weiu])]. 
Gerrit  Simonse  \  eeder,  Simon  Vrooman,  KobiMt  Yaats,  Sander 
Lansinck,  Abraham  Truax,  vVbraham  (ilen  and  .^Vrent  Samuelse 
Bradt,  the  i)resent  minister.  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  Dutch 
Protestant  Congregation  in  Schenectady,  in  our  County  of  Al- 
bany, j)resented  our  trusty  and  well  beloved  William  Cosby, 
Esqr.,  our  Captain  General  and  Governor  in  Chief  of  our 
Province  of  New  York,  New  Jersey  and  Territories  thereon. 
dej)ending  in  America,  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same  and  CoU' 
in  our  Army,  that  the  said  ^Minister,  Elders  and  Deacons  and 
the  rest  of  the  Communicants  of  the  said  Congregation  have  at 
their  own  charge  built  a  New  Church  in  the  Town  of  Schenec- 
tady aforesaid,  and  the  same  have  dedicated  to  the  .Vlmighty 
God,  but  for  the  want  of  being  incorporated  they  are  not  Capa- 
ble of  Iieceiving  or  accej)ting  of  such  Donations  as  '])ious 
Designed  Persons  are  or  may  be  disposed  to  give  unto  them,  or 
of  Pui'chasing  any  Lands  or  Tenements  for  the  use  of  said 
Church  ;  wherefore  in  their  said  Inunble  j)etition  they  have  like- 
wise jtrayed  our  Letters  Patent  to  Incorporate  them  and  the  rest 


the  same  lime  with  the  bell.  In  1773  Benjamin  Young  was  paid  ;^5-io  for 
keepmg  it  in  order  for  one  year ;  and  in  1774  ^6. 

It  was  the  custom  to  ring  the  bell  three  times  on  the  Sabbath,  before  com- 
mencing rtligious  services  down  to  January,  18 10,  wlien  the  Consistory  made 
the  change  indicated  in  the  following  resolution: 

Resolved,  That  in  future  the  bell  shall  be  rung  twice  as  usual,  previous  to 
the  commencement  of  public  worship,  and  that  tolling  shall  be  substituted  for 
the  third  ringing.  It  is  said  the  bell  was  also  rung  at  the  close  of  the  service 
that  the  servants  at  home  might  have  the  dinner  ready  on  their  masters  return. 

*CoI.  Mss.  LXX,  107. 

t  Patents  in  office  of  Sec.  of  State  at  Albany. 


HISTORY  OF  TITK  CliriJCir.  OJ) 

of  the  communicants  of  the  said  church,  into  a  body  Politick 
and  Corporate,  in  Deed,  fact  and  name  ami  Style  of  the  Min- 
isters, Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  l{eforme<l  Protestant  Dutch 
Church  of  Schenectady  in  the  County  of  Albany,  and  thereby 
also  to  grant  unto  said  Corporation  and  their  successors  forever, 
the  new  Church  aforesaid  and  the  grounds  whereon  the  same 
stands ;  and  also  to  grant  and  secure  unto  them  and  their  suc- 
cessors the  free  exercise  and  enjoyment  of  all  their  civil  and 
Religious  Rights,  and  the  Liberty  of  \vorshii)j)ing  God  accord- 
ing to  Constitutions  and  Directions  of  the  Refornu'd  Church  in 
Holland,  a])i)roved  and  Instituted  by  the  National  Synod  of 
Dort,  which  l^etition  we  being  Willing  to  grant,  and  being 
Willing  in  particular  favor  to  the  })ious  purposes  of  our  Loving 
Subjects  in  free  Exercise  and  Enjoyment  of  all  their  Civill  and 
Religious  Rights  appertaining  unto  them  in  manner  aforesaid 
as  our  Loving  Subjects,  and  to  preserve  to  tliem  aiul  their  suc- 
cessors that  Liberty  of  worshij)ping  God  according  to  the  Con 
stitution  and  Directions  aforesaid. 

Wherefore,  knoAv  ye,  that  we  of  our  especial  Grace,  ceitain 
knowledge  and  meer  motion  have  ordained,  Constituted  and  De- 
clared and  by  these  presents  for  us,  our  Heirs  and  successors  do 
ordain.  Constitute  and  Declai-e  that  they,  the  said  Minister, 
Elders  and  Deacons  and  the  rest  of  the  Communicants  of  the 
said  new  Dutch  Church  in  Schenectady  aforesaid,  be  and  shall 
be  from  time  to  time  and  at  all  times  forever  hereafter,  a  body 
Corporate  and  Politick  in  Deed,  fact  and  name,  by  the  name  of 
the  Minister,  Elders  and  Diacor  s  of  the  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch 
Church  of  Schenectady  in  the  Covntii  of  Albany,  andthem  and  their 
successors  by  the  m^me  of  the  ^Minister,  Elders  and  Deacons  of 
the  J^eformed  Potestant  Dutch  Church  of  Schenectady  in  the 
County  of  Albany,  one  body  Corjiorate  and  Politick  in  Deed, 
fact  and  Name,  really  and  fully  We  do  for  us  our  Heirs  and 
Successors  erect,  make,  Constitute  Declare  and  C'reate  by  these 
presents  and  that  by  tlie  same  name  they  and  their  successoi"s 
may  and  shall  have  perpetual  succession,  and  shall  and  may  be 
Persons  able  and  Capable  in  the  Law  to  Sue  and  be  sued,  to 
l)lead  and  be  impleaded,  to  answer,  and  be  ansA\ered, 
and  Defend  and  be  Defended  in  all  and  singular  Suits, 
Causes,  Quan-ells,  Matters,  Actions  and  things  of  what 
kind  and  nature  so  ever;  and  also  that  they  and  their 
successors  (by  the  same  name)  be  and  shall  be  forever 
hereafter  Cajtable  and  Able  in  Law  to  have,  take,  accej^  of. 
Acquire  and  ]»urchase  in  fee  and  forever,  or  foi-  Life  or  Lives,  or 
for  years,  any  messuages,  buildings.  Houses,  Lands,  Teneme- 
nts, Hereditaments  and  real  estate,  and  and  the  same  to 
Lease  or  Demise  for  one  or  more  vears.  or  to  tyrant,  alien.  Bar- 


100  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

gain.  Sell  and  dispose  of  for  Life,  or  Lives,  or  forever  under  car 
tain  yearly  rents ;  and  also  to  aecej»t  of,  take,  and  possess  and 
Purchase  any  droods.  Chattels,  or  Personal  Elstate  and  the  same 
Lett,  Sell  or  Dispose  of  at  will  and  pleasure ;  and  all  this  as  fully 
as  any  other  our  Liege  I'eople,  ov  any  Corporation  and  body 
Politick  within  that  jtart  of  onr  Kingdom  of  Great  Brittain 
Called  England,  or  this  our  Province,  may  Lawfully  do : — Pro- 
vided that  such  ^Messuages  and  real  estate  as  they  or  their  Suc- 
ceessors  shall  have,  or  may  be  Entitled  to,  shall  not  at  any  one 
time  exceed  the  yearly  Rent  of  Two  hundred  ])Ounds  Current 
Money  of  our  said  Province  of  New  York,  over  and  above  the 
Clnirch  and  ground  on  which  the  same  is  Erected,  liuilt  and 
stands : — And  further  we  do  will  and  grant  that  they  the  said 
Minister,  Elders  and  Deacons  and  their  successors  shall  and  may 
forever  hereafter  have  a  Common  Seal  to  serve  and  use  for  all 
Matters,  Clauses,  things  and  aifairs  whatsoever,  of  them  and 
their  Successors ;  and  the  same  Seal  to  alter,  change,  break  and 
make  New  from  time  to  time,  at  their  will  and  jdeasure  as  they 
think  titt ;  and  we  have  thought  fitt  aiul  hereby  Publish,  Grant, 
ordain  and  Declare  that  our  Royal  Avill  and  ))leasure  is,  that  no 
Person  in  Communion  of  the  said  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch 
Church  of  Schenectady  as  aforesaid,  at  any  time  hereafter,  shall 
be  any  ways  molested,  punished,  disquieted  or  Called  in  Ques- 
tion for  any  difference  in  opinion  in  matters  of  the  Protestant 
Religion,  who  do  not  actually  disturb  the  Civil  Peace  of  our  said 
Province,  but  that  all  and  f  very  ))erson  and  ])ersons  in  Comnum- 
ion  of  the  said  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  Schenec- 
tady aforesaid,  may  from  time  to  time  and  at  all  times  hereiLf- 
ter,  freely  and  fully  have  and  enjoy  his  and  their  own  judgments 
and  Consciences  in  matters  of  the  protestant  religious  Concern- 
ments of  the  said  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church,  Accor- 
ding to  the  Constitutions  and  directions  aforesaid,  they  behaving 
themselves  peaceably  and  Quietly,  and  not  using  this  Liberty  to 
Licentiousness,  or  profaneness,  nor  to  the  Civil  Injury  or  out- 
ward Disturbance  of  Others,  any  Law,  Statute,  usage  or  custom 
of  that  part  of  our  Kingdom  of  Great  Brittain  called  England, 
or  of  this  our  Province  to  the  Contrary  hereof  in  any  ways  not- 
withstanding:— and  for  the  better  ordering  and  managing  the 
affairs  and  business  of  the  said  Cor]>oration  and  (,'hurch,  \Ye  do 
for  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors  Ordain,  direct  and  a]»])oint  that 
there  shall  l)e  a  ]>erpetual  Successian  of  ministers  for  the  service 
of  God  and  the  Instruction  of  the  Conununicants  and  MemVters 
of  the  said  Church  in  the  Christian  faith,  according  to  the  Con- 
stitutions and  Directions  aforesaid  and  that  the  j)resent  iNIinister 
and  every  other  Minister  or  ^Ministers  of  the  said  Church  here- 
after to  be  called,  chosen  or  ap])ointed,  shall  each  of  them  re 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  101 

spectively  remain  and  Continue  to  be  a  minister  of  the  said 
church,  so  long  as  the  Ehlers  and  Deacons  of  the  said  Cluircli 
for  the  time  being  and  all  those,  wlio  heretofore  have  been  or 
hereafter  shall  have  been  Polders  antl  Deacons  of  the  said  Cluirch 
or  the  Major  i»art  of  them  shall  think  proper: — and  further  we 
will,  ordain  and  by  these  jn-esents  for  us  our  Heirs  and  Succes- 
sors do  Declaie  aiid  a})|»oint  that  for  the  better  Ordering  and 
managing  the  affairs  and  business  of  the  said  Corporation,  there 
shall  be  four  Polders  and  four  Deacons  from  time  to  time  Consti- 
tuted. Elected  and  Chosen  out  of  ^the  3Iembers  of  said  Church 
Inhabiting  in  Schenectady  for  the  time  being,  in  such  manner 
and  form  as  is  hereafter  in  these  presents  ex))ressed,  whicli  Per 
sons  together  with  the  Minister  or  the  Major  part  of  them  foi- 
the  time  being  shall  apply  themselves  to  take  care  for  the  best 
disposing  and  Ordering  the  general  business  and  affairs  of  and 
concerning  the  said  Clmrch  and  of  and  concerning  all  such 
Lands,  Tenements,  Hereditaments,  real  and  j)ersonal  Estate  as 
shall,  or  may  be  acquired  as  aforesaid ; — and  for  the  better  exe- 
cution of  our  Royal  pleasure  herein.  We  do  for  us,  our  Heirs 
and  Successoi's  Assign,  name.  Constitute  and  ap])oint  the  afore- 
said Mr.  Rinherdt  Erricksen  to  be  the  present  Minister  of  the  said 
Church,  and  the  aforesaid  John  Barentse  Wemp,  Gerrit  Simonse 
Veeder,  Simon  Vrooman,  and  Robert  Yaats  to  be  the  present 
Elders  of  the  said  Churcli,  and  Sander  Lansinck,  Abraham  Tre- 
aux,  Abraham  Glen  and  Arent  Saniuelse  Bratt  to  be  the  present 
Deacons  of  the  said  Church,  which  Elders  and  Deacons  are  to 
continue  in  the  said  several  offices  respectively  until  others  be 
duly  chosen  to  officiate  in  their  rooms,  in  manner  as  is  herein- 
after expressed : — And  further  we  do  will  and  by  these  presents 
for  us  our  Heirs  and  Successors  do  ordain,  appoint  and  Direct 
that  the  minister  of  said  Church  for  the  time  being,  or  in  his 
absence  from  sickness  or  otherwise,  the  first  Elder  of  the  said 
Church  for  the  time  being,  shall  and  may  from  time  to  time, 
upon  all  occasions  Assemble  and  Call  together  the  said  Elders 
and  Deacons  of  the  said  Church  for  the  time  being,  to  consult 
and  advise  of  the  Business  and  affairs  of  the  said  church  : — And 
further  our  will  and  })leasure  is  and  we  do  for  us,  our  Heirs  and 
Successors,  Establish,  appoint  and  Direct  that  on  the  first  Satur- 
day in  December  next  the  Minister,  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the 
said  Church,  or  the  Major  part  of  them  shall,  at  the  said  church 
chuse,  nominate  and  appoint  two  of  the  Communicants  of  the 
said  Church  to  serve  as  Elders  of  the  said  church  for  the  next 
ensuing  year,  in  the  Rooms  and  stead  of  Jan  Barentse  Wemp 
and  Gerrit  Simonse  Yeeder,  and  also  two  other  of  the  said  Com- 
municants to  serve  as  Deacons  for  the  next  ensuing  year  in  the 
Rooms  and  stead  of   Sander  Lansinck  and  Abraham  Treaax : 


I()L>  HISTORY  OF  THK  CHrKCir. 


which  said  two  Elders  and  Deacons  so  newly  chosen  and  elect- 
ed as  aforesaid  shall  on  New  Years  Day  next  ensiieinj^  their 
nomination  and  election.  Enter  npon  and  take  their  res|iective 
places  and  continue  in  and  exercise  their  said  respective  oflices. 
until  otlu-r  Hitt  persons  shall  be  IJegularly  Chosen  in  their  re- 
spective rooms :  ^\nd  we  do  for  us,  our  Ileirs  and  Successors 
Grant,  api)oint  and  direct  that  yearly  once  in  the  year  forever 
hereafter,  after  the  First  Day  of"  January  next  ensuing,  that  is 
to  say  on  the  first  Saturchiy  in  December  in  every  year,  at  the 
said  church,  the  Ministei-s  Eldj-i-s  and  Deacons  of  the  said  Churcli 
for  the  time  being,  or  the  Major  ]»art  of  them  shall  nominate,  ap- 
point and  chuse  two  of  the  Communicants  of  the  said  Church 
that  shall  succeed  in  the  offices  of  Elders,"  and  two  others  of  their 
comnumicants  that  shall  succeed  as  Deacons  in  the  room,  jilace 
and  stead  of  the  two  oldest  Folders  and  tMO  oldest  Deacons 
for  the  year  ensuing,  which  two  Folders  and  Deasons  so 
newly  chosen  and  Elected  as  last  aforesaid  shall  on  New 
Years  Day  next  ensueing  their  nominations  of  F^lection 
take  their  respective  jjlaces  and  continue  in  and  F^xecute  their 
respective  offices,  from  that  time  until  other  litt  persons  be  re- 
spectively Elected  in  their  respective  rooms  and  jilaces  ;  — And 
if  it  shall  happen  that  any  or  either  of  the  aforesaid  Elders  and 
Deacons  so  to  be  Elected,  nominated  or  ap})ointed  as  aforesaid, 
shall  dye,  or  be  removed,  or  deny,  refuse  or  neglect  to  officiate 
in  the  said  respective  offices  of  Elders  or  Deacons  before  their  or 
either  of  their  time  for  Serving  therein  be  ex])ired,  that  then 
and  in  every  such  case  it  shall  and  may  be  Lawful  for  the  Min- 
istei",  Folders  and  Deacons  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being, 
or  the  ^Nlajor  part  of  them  to  proceed  in  manner  aforesaid  to  a 
new  Election  of  one  or  more  of  their  connnunicaiits  in  the  room 
or  place  of  such  Officer,  or  oflicers  dying  oi-  J  Removing  or  deny- 
ing, refusing  or  Neglecting  to  officiate  in  his  or  their  respective 
othce  oi'  offices  as  aforesaid  : — And  further  our  ^Yill  and  jileas- 
ure  is,  and  we  do,  for  us,  our  Ileirs  and  Successors,  Declare  and 
Grant  that  the  Patronage,  Adowson,  Donation  or  Presentation 
of  and  to  the  said  church  after  the  Decease  or  removal  of  the 
said  present  minister,  or  next  avoidance,  shall  ap))ertain  and  be- 
long to  and  be  hereby  vested  in,  the  Elders  and  Deacons  of  tlie 
said  refoi-med  Protestant  Church  of  Schenectady  for  tlie  time 
being  and  their  successors  forever,  together  with  all  such  as  here- 
tof<)]-e  have  been  or  hei-eafter  shall  liave  been  Elders  or  Deacons 
of  the  said  church,  or  the  ^Nlajor  ])art  of  thon  ; — Provided 
allways  that  the  succeeding  Ministers  that  sliall  be  by  them,  or 
the  major  part  of  them  jtresented,  called,  instituted  and  inducted 
into  the  said  Church,  shall  bear  true  P^aith  and  aMegiance  unto 
us.  our  Ileiis  and  Successors  anvthing  contained  heiein   to  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  ClllKClI.  103 


contrary  tliereof  in  anywise  notwithstanding; — and  our  will 
and  pleasure  is,  and  we  do  further  by  these  ])resents  Grant  and 
Declare  that  the  said  present  Minister  and  Incumbent  and  all 
others,  who  shall  hereafler  be  Ministers  of  the  sai<l  reformed 
Protestant  Dutch  church  and  shall  have  the  care  of  the  Souls  of 
the  said  members  of  the  said  chuich.  shall  not  nor  shall  any  of 
them,  be  removed  from  the  sai<l  church  or  care  unless  by  and 
with  the  Direction,  consent  and  A))probati()n  of  the  Polders  and 
Deacons  and  all  those  that  have  l)een  or  shall  have  been.  Elders 
and  Deacons  of  the  Said  church,  or  the  jNlajor  part  of  them  ;  — 
And  our  fuither  will  and  pleasure  is,  ami  we  do  hereby  Further 
Declare  that  it  shall  and  may  be  la\\ful  for  the  Deacons  of  the 
said  church  for  the  time  being,  or  any  other  Person  Sufficiently 
Authorized  by  them,  at  all  and  any  time  or  times  when  the  mem- 
bers of  the  said  church,  or  any  of  them,  meet  and  Assemble  to- 
gether in  the  said  church  for  the  publick  worship  or  Service  of 
God,  to  collect  and  drather  together  the  free  and  voluntary  alms 
of  the  members  of  the  said  church,  or  other  persons  congregated 
as  aforesaid,  which  Alms  are  to  be  emjdoyed  by  the  Elders  and 
Deacons  for  the  time  being,  or  the  Major  part  of  them,  unto 
such  pious  and  charitable  uses  as  they  and  their  Successors  or 
the  Major  part  of  them  at  their  Discretion  shall  think  Conven- 
ient and  Needful ; — and  our  will  and  pleasure  further  is,  and  we 
do  hereby  Declare  that  from  time  to  time  as  need  shall  recpiire, 
one  or  more  able  Minister  or  Ministers  Lawfully  ordained  accord- 
ing to  the  Constitutions  and  Directions  aforesaid,  shall  and  may 
be  Nominated,  Elected,  t  ailed  and  Inducted  into  the  said  Protes- 
tant Dutch  Church,  (by  the  same  ])ersons,  after  the  same  maimer 
and  in  the  same  form  as  is  before  Directed  and  Declared,  in  Case 
the  said  Church  or  Cure  (?)  should  be  vacant  either  by  the  death 
or  removal  of  the  present  Minister  or  Incundient),  to  be  a 
Preacher  or  Preachers  and  Assistants  to  the  said  Minister  and 
his  Successors,  in  the  Celebration  of  the  Divine  offices  of  pray- 
ing and  Preaching  and  other  Dutys  Incident  to  and  to  be  i)er- 
formed  in  the  said  Church  as  shall  be  required  of  him  by  the 
ministers.  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  said  Church,  for  the  time 
being,  or  the  Major  part  of  them  and  shall  likewise  from  time  to 
time  Nominate  a  bell-ringer  and  Sexton  and  such  other  under 
officers  as  they  shall  stand  in  need  of,  to  remain  in  their  respect- 
ive Offices  so  long  as  the  Minister,  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the 
said  <'hurch  for  the  time  being,  or  the  Major  i)art  of  them,  sshall 
thinktitt :  — And  we  do  of  our  P^urther  special  1  Grace.  Certain 
knowledge  and  meer  Motion,  Give  and  Grant  imto  the  said 
Minister,  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  said  Church  and  their  Suc- 
cessors forever,  that  the  Minister,  Polders  and  Deacons  of  the 
said  Church  for  the  time  being  or  the  Major  part  of  them  shall 


104  HISTOKV  OF  TlIK  CliriUII. 


have  and  we  have  hereby  given  and  Granted  nnto  them,  full 
i)Ower  and  authority  from  time  to  time  and  at  all  times  here- 
after, to  a]»iioiiit,  altiT  and  cliaiiLTi'  sia-li  days  and  times  of  meet- 
inijs  as  tlu'v.  or  the  Major  jtart  of  them  shall  think  iitt,  and  to 
Choose,  Nominate  an<l  A))]»oint  such  and  so  many  of  our  Lierje 
People  as  they,  or  the  Major  part  of  them,  shiill  think  titt.  who 
shall  he  willinpf  to  accept  of  heinj^;  ^Fendters  of  their  said  Church 
anil  Corporation  and  body  Politick,  and  them  into  the  same  to 
admitt,  and  to  P'lect  and  Constitutesuchother  officer  and  officers, 
as  they,  or  the  Major  part  of  them  shall  think  titt  and  requisite 
for  the  Orderini^  Managing  and  dispatching  the  affairs  of  the 
said  Church  and  Corporation  ; — and  from  timy  to  time  to  make, 
ordain  and  constitute  such  rules,  Orders  and  Ordinances  for  the 
Good  discipline  and  Weal  of  the  ]Mend)ers  of  the  said  Church 
and  cori)oration,  as  they  or  the  ]Major  part  of  them  shall  think 
fitt,  so  that  those  rules,  orders  an<l  Oidinances  be  not  re])Ugnant 
to  the  Laws  of  that  part  of  our  Kingdom  of  Great  Brittain 
called  England  and  of  this  our  Province,  or  dissonant  to  the 
principles  of  our  Protestant  Peligion,  but  as  near  as  may  be 
agreeal)le  to  our  Laws  of  that  part  of  our  Kingdom  of  Great 
Brittain  called  England,  and  Consonant  to  the  Articles  of  faith 
and  Worship  of  God  Agreed  nj)on  by  the  aforesaid  Synod  of 
Dort  ; — And  further  know  ye  that  we  of  our  abundant  Grace, 
(-ertain  knowledge  and  meer  Motion,  Have  Given,  Granted, 
Ratified  and  Confirmed,  and  by  these  presents  for  us,  our  Heirs 
and  successors,  do  Give,  Grant,  liatifye  and  Confirm  unto  the 
said  ]Ministers,  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  Reformed 
Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  Schenectady  in  the  County 
of  Albanv  and  their  Successors,  all  that  the  said  Church 
and  the  ground  on  which  the  same  stands,  which  said  ground  is 
in  Breadth  from  East  to  West  Sixty-five  feet,  and  in  Length 
from  North  to  South  Eighty  feet,  and  all  benefits.  Profits  and 
appurtenances  to  the  same  belonging,  f>r  in  anywise  appertain- 
iiicr, — To  have  and  to  hold  all  and  singular  the  ])remises  afore- 
said, with  the  appurtenances,  unto  them,  the  said  Minister,  El- 
ders and  Deacons  of  the  Reformed  l^rotestant  Dutch  Church  of 
Schenectady  in  the  County  of  Albany  aforesaid  and  their  Succes- 
sors :  to  their  oidy  ])roper  use  and  behoof  forever,  to  be  holden 
of  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors  in  free  and  common  Soccage  as 
of  our  Manner  of  East  Greenwich  in  our  County  of  Kent, 
with  that  ])art  of  our  Kingdom  of  (4reat  Brittain  called  England 
vielding,  rendring  and  i)aying  therefor  Yearly  and  every  Year 
forever  unto  us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors  on  tlie  ffeast  day  of 
the  Anmuiciation  of  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  at  our  City  of 
New  York,  the  Annual  rent  of  five  shillings  Current  INIoney  of 
our  said  Province,  in  Lieu  and  Stead  of  all  other  rents.  Dues, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  lo:, 

Services,  Dutys,  Claims  and  Demands  Whatsoever  for  the  jtreni- 
ises  ; — and  we  do  further  will  and  tyrant  that  in  case  it  should 
happen  the  said  Church,  by  any  accident,  hapj)en  to  be  burned, 
fall  down  or  come  to  ruin,  the  Minister,  Elders  and  Deacons  of 
reformed  Protestant  Dutcli  Church  of  Schenectady  in  the  Coun- 
ty of  Albany  for  tlie  time  being  or  the  major  ])art  of  them  shall 
and  may  ]juil<I  and  Erect  another  Church,  in  the  same  or  in  anv 
other  ])lace  in  Schenectady  aforesaid ; — An<l  Lastly  we  do  for 
us,  our  Heirs  and  Successors,  Ordain  and  Grant  unto  the  said 
Minister,  Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  said  Reformed  Rrotestant 
Dutch  Church  within  Schenectady  aforesaid  and  their  Succes- 
sors, by  these  })resents,  that  this  our  Grant  shall  be  tiim,  good, 
effectual  and  available  in  all  things  to  the  Law  to  all  interests, 
constructions  and  ])urj)Oses  whatsoever,  according  to  our  true  Li- 
tent  and  meaning  herein  before  declared  ;  and  shall  be  Construed, 
reputed  and  adjudged  in  all  cases  most  favorable  on  the  behalf 
and  for  the  best  benefit  and  behoof  of  tlie  said  Minister,  Elders 
and  Deacons  of  the  reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Churcli  of  Sdie- 
nectady  and  their  Successors,  Although  Ex])ress  mention  of  tlie 
yearly  value  or  certainty  of  the  premises,  or  any  of  them,  in 
these  presents,  is  not  named  or  any  Statute,  Act,  Ordinance. 
Provision  Proclamation,  or  restriction  heretofore  had,  made,  en- 
acted, Oi'dained  oi*  Provided,  or  any  othei'  matter,  clause,  or 
thing  whatsoever,  to  the  Contrary  hereof  notwithstanding. 

Li  Testimony  whereof  we  have  caused  these  our  Letters  to  be 
made  patent,  and  the  Great  Seal  of  our  said  Province  to  be  here- 
unto affixed. 

Witness  our  trusty  and  well  beloved  William  Cosby  Esqr., 
Capt.  General  and  Governor  in  (  hief  of  our  Province  of  New 
York  and  New  Jersey  and  Territories  thereon  de])endino-  in 
America,  and  Vice  Admirall  of  the  same,  and  Collonell  in  our 
army  in,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  af  our  Councill  of 
our  Province  of  New  York,  at  our  Fort  George  in  New  York  the 
twenty  third  of  August  in  the  Eighth  year  of  our  Reign  Annoq 
Domini  1734. 

FRED'K  MORRIS  D.  Secy. 


14 


106  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

174;)- 1752.  UOMINK  CORNKM^  VAX  SANTV(  li  )Itl  >,  TllK  rilTll 
MINISTKR.  SlHtSCUll'TlON  TOli  rilK  SITPOUT  OF  IIIK  MIMSTKR. 
NKW  l'AR80XA(4K. 

During  tlie  four  years  succeeding  the  (lei)aiture  of  Domine 
Erichzon,  the  church  was  without  a  settled  2)astor,  but  was  oc- 
casionally visited  by  the  ministers  of  Albany — Domines  Van 
Schie  and  Van  Driessen,  and  others,  who  in  that  time  married 
seventeen  cou})les.  l)a|)ti/.ed  1(54  children  and  received  thirty 
three  persons  to  the  church. 

As  early  as  November,  1736,  tVie  Consistory  authorised  Nich- 
olas Schuyler,  one  of  their  nund)er,  to  send  to  Holland  for  a 
successor  to  Domine  Erichzon.  The  usual  salary  of  £100  and 
jierquisitcs  were  ))n)inised,  to  begin  from  the  d.ay  he  embarked 
from  Holland. 

This  negociation,  after  great  delay  failed,  and  in  November, 
173S,  the  church  authorized  Leviims  Clarkson  and  John  Living- 
ston, during  their  stay  in  Holland,  to  renew  the  atleni})t  to  jiro- 
cure  a  pastor,  but  in  case  of  a  second  failure,  resolved  to  look 
elsewhere.  After  waiting  about  two  years  longer  without  suc- 
cess, the  church  a])pointed  two  of  their  number,  INIessrs.  Vroo- 
man  and  Feeling,  together  with  Christopher  Bancker  and  Dom- 
ine (iualterus  Du  Bois,  of  New  York,  to  visit  and  confer  with 
Domine  Cornelis  Van  Santvoord,  of  Staten  Island,  with  refer- 
ence to  a  call  from  the  Church  of  Schenectady.  At  this  inter- 
view his  Consistory  demanded  in  case  of  his  removal,  a  repay- 
ment to  them  of  the  expense  they  had  incurred  in  bringing  him 
from  Holland  to  this  country,  but  were  told  by  Messrs.  Vrooman 
and  P\^eling  that  they  were  not  authorized  to  negotiate  in  rela- 
tion to  this  matter.  Subsecpiently,  however,  a  compromise  was 
effected  and  in  August,  1740,  he  began  his  ministry  in  Schenec- 
tady. At  the  time  of  his  settlement  here  he  was  43  years  of 
age,  and  had  been  ])astor  of  the  Church  of  Staten  Island  twenty- 
two  years.  His  wife,  ^Vnna,  daughter  of  John  Staats,  of  Staten 
Island,  died  about  the  year  1744,  and  the  year  following  he  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Toll,  of  Schenectady,  who  also  died  within  two 


HISTORY  OP^  THE  CHUPvCH.  1<)7 

years,  without  issue.  He  had  eight  children  by  his  first  wife — 
three  sons,  Cornelis,  Staats  and  Zeger,  who  outlived  him,  and 
five  daughters,  two  of  whom  were  not  living  in  1747.  In  his 
will  he  speaks  also  of  a  sister,  Jacoba,  wife  of  Zeger  Hazebroeck, 
of  Levdeii,  where  he  was  born  and  received  his  education  under 
the  direction  of  Prof.  John  Marck,  of  the  University  of  Leyden.* 

Domine  Van  Santvoord  was  a  man  of  good  natural  parts  and 
fine  culture  ;  he  i)reached  not  only  in  his  native  tongue,  but  also 
in  the  French  and  English ;  and  the  sermons  which  are  pre- 
served by  his  descendants  sliow  him  to  have  been  a  writer  of  no 
mean  ability. 

"  He  was  an  intimate  friend  of  Domine  Frey  linghuysen,  of  Rar- 
itan,  sympathising  with  him  in  all  his  trials,  while  his  learning, 
acuteness  and  manly  independence  qualified  him  to  be  his  advo- 
cate. In  this  character  he  appeared  in  a  small  volume  entitled, 
'  A  DialoQue  between  Considerans  and  Candidus.'  t  Hc^  translated 
Prof.  Marck's  Commentary  on  the  Apocalypse,  adding  much  to 
it  by  his  own  reflections.  He  sent  it  to  Hollajid  for  approval, 
and  it  was  not  only  approved,  but  adorned  with  a  copious  pre- 
face by  Prof.  Wesselius.  The  high  respect  entertained  and 
shown  by  Mr.  Van  Santvoord  for  Prof.  Marck  was  but  the  coun- 
terpart of  the  professor's  esteem  for  him.  He  declared  that  Mr. 
Van  Santvoord  was  one  of  his  most  distinguished  and  apt  puj)ils, 
and  he  was  honored  by  the  professor's  friendshij)  to  the  end  of 
his  life."  X 

Uiuler  his  ministry  the  church  enjoyed  a  good  dcgiX'e  of  pros- 
perity. During  the  twelve  years  of  his  pastorate,  he  nuirried 
174  couples,  baptized  645  children  and  received  151  membei'sto 
the  church.  His  sudden  demise  at  the  early  age  of  55  years 
was  a  sad  loss  to  the  town.  On  Christmas  day,  December  25, 
1751,  he  was  well  enough  to  preach:  his  text  was  Luke  II,  13. 
14 ;  seven  days  after,  on  New  Year's  day,  he  again  ascended 
the  pulpit  but  being  too  weak  to  address  the  congregation  closed 

*  There  is  a  tradition  among  his  descendants  that  while  living  in  Schenec- 
tady he  saw  a  vision  of  his  sister  Jacoba,  then  living  in  Leyden.  He  noted 
the  occurrence  and  learned  afterward  that  she  died  at  the  hour  when  her  ap- 
paration  was  seen  by  him. 

[+This  work,  a  copy  of  which  is  now  in  the  possession  of  the  Rev.  Talbot 
W.  Chambers,  D.D.,  of  New  York,  has  been  translated  into  English  by  the 
Rev.  W.  G.  Hamen,  of  Coxsackie,  N.  Y.     w.  E.  G.] 

X  Brownlee's  discourse. 


108  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

the  service  with  a  prayer  and  the  c-iisiomary  New  Year's  bless- 
intj.  *     Six  days  afterward,  January  6,  17o2,  lie  died,  f 

For  nearly  three  years  succeeding  the  death  of  Domine  Van 
Santvoord  the  church  was  destitute  of  a  pastor,  and  only  occa- 
sionally visited  by  a  minister.  Domine  Theodorus  Freylinghuy- 
sen,  of  Albany,  most  commonly  supplied  the  pulpit — sometimes 
a  pastor  from  a  more  distant  church,  as  Domine  Vrooman,  of 
New  Paltz,  or  a  divinity  student.^ 

In  this  time  thirteen  couples  were  married,  110  children  bap- 
tised and  lifty-seven  persons  added  to  the  church. 

Preparatory  to  calling  a  new  pastor  the  church  opened  a  sub- 
scription, in  1752,  for  the  support  of  the  ministry — the  amounts 
subscribed  to  be  paid  yearly  and  the  subscribers,  of  whom  there 
were  168,  also  agreeing  to  increase  their  seat  rent  from  five  to 
six  shillings  each  and  to  forfeit  their  sittings,  provided  this  sum 
was  not  paid  within  six  months  after  it  became  due. 

[*  See  page  22.  This  ancient  form  of  the  New  Year's  blessing  was  effect- 
ively and  beautifully  spoken  upon  the  people  by  Domine  Wortman,  on  Mon- 
day evening,  June  21,  1S80.      W.  E.  G.] 

t  "  1751  Den  25  December  heeft  Do.  Van  Santvoort  zyn  laaste  predikatie 
gedaen  op  Kersdag  en  zyn  text  was  uyt  Lucas  2  Verse  13,  14,  Luydende 
aldus  ; — Ende  Van  Stonden  den  was  doer  met  den  Engel  ean  menighte  des 
hemelschen  heyrleger.-,  prysende  Godt  ende  seggende  &c.  Agt  [seven]  dayen 
daar  na  op  neuwe  year  heeft  hy  de  stoel  Weder  beklommen  meer  te  swak 
synde  omte  preek  heeft  hy  syn  Dienst  voor  het  laaste  besloten  met  een  gebet 
ende  segen  sens  gewoonelyk  op  neuwe  year,  en  is  6  dagen  daarna  te  weten 
op  den  6  Januare  1752  in  de  heere  gerust." — Abraham  DeGraaf 's  Bible. 

X  The  church  treasurer's  book  shows  the  following  sums  paid  for  occasional 
supplies  during  this  period  : 

1752  April    8.     Dom.   Freylinghuysen, £3-^0- 

"       Aug.   10.  do  do  3- 

"       Dec.    27.  do                  do              3- 

1753  3<3  April.  do                  do              3- 

••      Aug.   13.  do                 do             5- 

"       19    Aug.  Dom.   Vrooman, 5~ 

"       ID  Sept.  do    Freylinghuysen,  1- 

"       18    Dec.         do  do  3-10- 

1754  Jan.  een      Student, i-  4~ 

"  "  Dom.    Freylinghuysen, i- 

"      Mar.    16.         do     Vrooman 5~  4" 

do      Menema i-  4~ 

De  student  lienderikus  Freylinghuysen  i-  4- 

Goetschius, — Student  i-  4~ 


HISTORY  OF  THP:  CHURCH.  109 


The  suras  subscribed  varied  from  one  to  thirty-six  shillings, 
and  amounted  in  all  to  £G6-2  (!f;i 05.25).  This  together  with 
the  rents  from  seats,  church  Mill,  Eenkluy's  "poorj)asture,"  and 
the  quit  rents  from  farms  donated  by  the  Trustees  of  the  Com- 
mon Lands,  made  a  sum  suthoient  to  meet  the  current  expenses 
of  the  church. 

The  ancient  ])arsonage  house  on  the  East  corner  of  Union  :Mid 
Church  streets  had  now  stood  about  fifty  years  and  was  falling 
into  decay.  It  was  removed,  therefore,  in  1753,  an<l  a  new  one, 
a  story  and  a  half  high,  was  erected  on  the  same  lot,  It  was 
built  in  the  j)ointed  Dutch  style  fronting  Union  street,  with  two 
rooms  in  front  and  a  gable  above  the  middle  door.  This  house 
stood  about  60  years  until  it  gave  place  to  the  church  of  1814.  * 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

1754-1784.       DOMINE  BARENT  VROOMAN  THE  SIXTH  MINISTER. 

The  sixth  minister  of  the  church  was  Domine  Barent  Vroo- 
man.  He  was  the  first  native  of  the  Province  and  the  only  one 
of  this  city  ever  called  to  this  sacred  office.  His  great  grand- 
father, Hendrick  Meese  Yroonian,  one  of  the  Pioneer  settlers  of 
the  place,  together  with  his  son  Bartholomew  was  killed  in  1690, 
in  the  sacking  of  the  Village  by  the  French.  Among  those  who 
escaped  was  his  son  Adam,  whose  wife  and  child  were  massa- 
cred, Avhilst  his  sons  Wouter  and  Barent  were  carried  away  ca})- 
tive  into  Canada,  whence  they  did  not  return  until  many  yeai's 
after.  Wouter  was  but  ten  years  old  when  thus  cruelly  sei)ara- 
ted  from  his  parents.  On  his  return  he  married  Marytie  Ilallen- 
beck,  of  Albany,  al)OUt  the  year  1708.  Thirteen  children  were 
the  issue  of  this  marriage,  of  whom  nine  were  living  in  1748, 
when  the  father  made  his  will.  He  died  Oct.  26th,  1756,  aged 
75  years. 

*  The  bricks  used  in  its  construction  were  made  by  Jacobus  Van  Vorst  at 
£l.  ($2.50)  a  thousand.  The  masons  were  Gillis  Van  Vorst,  William  Hall, 
Jan  Baptist  Van  Vorst  und  Ephraim  Smith — the  carpenters,  Nicolaas  De- 
Graafand  Johannes    Hall;   and   the   smith,     Flarmanus  Ilagadorn. 

— Church  treasurer's  book. 


110  TTTSTOTjy  OF  TIIK  ("IiriU'IT. 


The  subject  of  this  notice,  the  eleveiitli  chihl  of  Wouter 
Vrooiiian.  \v:is  hoi'ii  on  the  24tl»  of  Dt'cciiiluT,  172').  He  bc^aii 
his  studies  for  xhv  iiiiiiistiy  uikUt  the  direction  of  Do.  \':iii 
Santvoord  and  finished  tliem  uilli  Do.  'I'licodore  Frelinghuysen, 
of  Albany.  Havint"-  received  a  eall  to  the  church  of  New  Paltz, 
Feb.  4th,  1751,  he  sailed  for  Holland  soon  after  to  comitlete  his 
theolo<i;ical  studies  at  the  University  of  Utrecht  and  obtain  or- 
dination. On  the  7th  of  Jan.,  17.')2,  l)e  was  licensed  and  on  the 
7th  of  Mar.,  17a3,  was  ordained  by  the  classis  of  Utrecht.  He 
saileil  soon  after  from  fatherland  witli  three  other  younuj  clergy- 
men— Johannes  Schuneinan,  Jacobus  and  Ferdinandus  Frelini;- 
huysen,  of  whom  tlii'  last  two  died  at  sea  of  the  small  jiox.  * 

After  visitiny-  his  friends  in  Schenectady  lie  returned  to  New 
Paltz,  and  on  the  26  of  Aug.,  17o;3,  was  inducted  into  his  office 
as  jtastor  of  the  congregation  of  New  Paltz,  Shawangunk  and 
Wallkil.  His  parisli  embraced  a  territory  of  more  than  two 
hundred  square  miles ;  and  the  ancient  church  whose  corner 
stone  was  hiid  by  his  liands  is  still  used  as  a  house  of  worshijt. 

The  church  in  Schenectady  liad  been  without  a  })astor  more 
than  two  years  when  he  returned  fi-oni  Holland,  and  it  does  not 
ai)i)ear  that  within  this  time  they  had  made  any  attem))t  to  find 
one,  but  within  one  month  after  Do.  Vrooman's  InstaUation  af 
New  Paltz  they  gave  him  a  call  here. 

These  facts  seem  to  show  that  from  tlie  time  of  Do.  Van 
Santvoord's  death  they  had  only  awaited  his  return  to  make  him 
his  successor. 

Although  his  beroepbrief,  or  call,  is  dated  Scjit.  18th,  17o3,  he 
was  not  dismissed  from  his  charge  at  Wallkil  until  Oct.  20th. 
17.54. 


*  "We  announce  with  great  sorrow  that  the  Messrs.  Freylinghuysen  (Ja- 
cobus and  Ferdinandus)  have,  while  at  sea,  been  removed  from  this  life  by 
small  pox,  to  the  great  regret  of  their  surviving  brethren,  and  of  the  Congre- 
gations for  whom  they  had  been  ordained  to  the  ministry,  by  the  laying  on  of 
hands  of  your  Reverend  Body. 

In  the  meantime,  the  other  two  gentlemen,  Vrooman  and  Schunemen,  have 
been  installed  in  their  congregations,  in  the  hope  that  they  will  be  faithful  in- 
struments, in  the  hand  of  Jesus,  for  the  extension  of  his  gracious  kingdom." 

Letter  of  the  Coetus  to  the  Classis  of  Amsterdam  19th  Sept.  1753. 

—  Min.  Gen.  Synod  I,  LXXXVIII. 


IIISTOKY  OF  TITK  CTITTJCTT.  1 1 1 


Call  for  the  Reverend  and  Learned  Domine  Barent  Vroonian, 
minister  at  the  Paltz,  WaU'nkill,  itc,  in  Ulster  county,  as  pas- 
tor and  teacher  of  tlie  J^ow  Dutch  Ifefornied  Church  of  .Icsus 
Christ,  here  at  Schenectady,  in  the  C'ounty  of  Albany,  in  the 
Province  of  New  York. 

Since,  God,  who  rules  and  orders  all  things  accordiuf  to  the 
counsel  of  His  own  will,  in  His  adorable  good  pleasure  has 
been  pleased  to  our  great  grief,  to  deprive  our  Church  of  Sche- 
nectady in  the  Province  of  New  York,  of  their  lieverend  pas- 
tor and  teacher,  Cornelis  Van  Santvoord,  who  rested  in  the  Lord 
on  the  oth  of  January,  17.52,  and  .since  the  Consistory  of  oui- 
said  church  after  the  death  of  our  aforenamed  teacher,  Cornelis 
Van  Santvoordt,  with  the  consent  and  a])i)robation  of  the  Great 
Consistory,  have  endeavored  under  God's  Holy  blessing,  to  choose 
and  call  here  a  })ious  minister ;  but  it  has  not  until  now,  pleased 
the  Lord  that  we  should  make  a  call ;  and  as  it  has  pleased  God, 
who  rules  and  orders  all  things  to  grant  your  Reverence  a  safe 
arrival  out  of  Holland,  at  your  birth  place  here  in  Schenectady 
to  your  Honored  father  and  friends,  where  at  the  re(piest 
of  the  Consistory,  your  reverence  has  live  times  preached 
and  proclaimed  the  gosj)el  to  us  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  our 
whole  church :  and  having  seen  your  pious  and  praiseworthy 
gifts,  and  edifying  talents,  after  mature  deliberation,  and  with 
the  general  assent  aiul  unanimity  of  the  Great  Consistory  assem- 
bled on  the  loth  of  this  month  we  resolved  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord,  to  call  you,  the  Rev.  Barent  Vrooman,  as  the  pastor  and 
teacher  of  our  church  here  at  Schenectady.  Wherefore  the 
present  Consistory  of  the  Low  Dutch  Refoi'med  Church  of  Sche- 
nectady, Hendrick  Brouwer,  John  Sanders,  Cornelis  Van  Slyck 
and  Gerret  A.  Lansingh,  elders,  and  Simon  Tol,  Johannes  Hall, 
Elias  Post  and  Johannes  Van  Antwerpen,  Deacons,  do  in 
our  names  herewith  call  the  Reverend,  jiious  and  learned 
Domine  Barent  Vrooman  as  our  public  pastor  the  Holy 
word  purely  to  preach,  the  Holy  Sacraments  according 
to  the  Institution  of  Christ  to  administer — to  catechise — to 
exercise  ecclesiastical  discij»line  and  oversight  over  this  Church  ; 
and  furthermore  all  things  to  do  that  the  office  of  a  faithful 
servant  of  Jesus  Christ  enjoins,  according  to  the  rules  of  the 
Christain  Synod  of  Dordrecht,  holden  in  tlie  years  1618  and 
1619,  and  in  use  in  the  Low  Dutch  reformed  Chui'ches   here  es- 


112  HISTOHY  OF  THE  CIinU'TI. 


tablished.  And  for  your  more  esi)ecial  anrl  jiarticular  informa- 
tion, it  will  be  your  Keverence's  duty,  wlien  in  healtli,  to  ])reacli 
every  Lord's  day  twice,  an<l  in  the  ai'ternoon  to  treat  of  subjects 
from  the  catechism  accordini^  lo  the  I  lie  order  of  the  Ileidel 
bei'uh  Catechism  ;  and  the  children  twice  a  week  to  catechise — 
that  is  on  Sunday  after  the  second  sermon  and  durin<^  the  week 
on  the  day  which  your  Reverence  shall  jdease  to  elect — on  Eas- 
ter, Whitsunday,  Christmas  aad  other  festivals  to  ])reach,  as 
hitherto  among  us  has  been  the  edifyino-  custom  ;  four  times  a 
year  the  Holy  Connnunion  to  celebrate;  to  visit  the  households 
of  the  church  twice  a  year  in  Schenectady  and  once  a  year  in 
the  neighborhood,  and  to  baptise  and  register  the  Christian 
children. 

And  that  your  IJevei'ence  while  among  us  may  have  nothing 
to  do  but  to  i)reach  in  the  chui'ch,  we  j>romise  your  Reverence 
in  accordance  with  the  })Ower  granted  us  by  our  great  consistory, 
on  the  loth  day  of  this  month  of  September  and  Avith  the  assent 
of  our  church,  that  a  yearly  salary  of  one  hundred  and  ten  jiounds 
current  money  of  the  Province  of  New  York — a  just  fourth  part 
at  the  end  of  every  quarter  year  from  time  to  time  during  your 
Reverence's  faithful  service  and  ministration  here  at  Schenec- 
tady shall  be  })aid  promptly  by  the  ruling  consistory  or  by  their 
order  ;  and  your  salary  shall  commence  from  the  day  of  your 
dismissal  from  your  church  of  the  Paltz,  Waalenkil,  &c. 

Moreover  your  Revei'ence  shall  have  a  good  house  belonging 
to  us  rent  free  and  ke]>t  in  good  repair,  a  good  garden  kejjt  "in 
fence,  also  free  jyasture  for  two  coms,  and  a  horse  if  your  Rever- 
ence be  pleased  to  keej)  one,  and  sixty  loads  of  tire  wood  deliv- 
ered at  the  door  yearly. 

All  this  we  promise  you  by  virtue  of  the  beforementioned  or- 
der and  resolution  of  our  church,  for  the  making  u}»  of  a  suffi- 
cient salary ;  and  for  the  precise  ])erformance  of  the  same,  we 
bind  and  obligate  ourselves  and  our  successors,  as  Elders  and 
Deasons  of  our  church  for  the  time  l)elng. 

This  then  being  our  affectionate  and  final  call  to  you,  the  Rev- 
erand,  pious  and  learned  Barent  Vrooman  in  the  name  of  our 
church  of  Schenectady,  it  is  our  ])ersistent  desire  that  you  (con- 
sidering the  necessities  of  our  church  in  respect  to  its  much  de- 
sired edification  and  the  upbuilding  of  the  same  in  the  most  holy 
faith)  will  please   to  accept,   with  hearty  inclination  this  our 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  1 1:? 

Christian  call,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord — in  our  behalf  and  in  the 
name  of  the  whole  church  promising  to  hold  your  Reverence  in 
such  esteem,  love  and  honor  iis  is  due  to  an  ujiriglit  teacher  in 
a  Reformed  Church. 

We  likewise  re<juest  the  honored  brethercn,  the  elders  and 
deacons  of  the  church  of  the  Paltz,  Waalenkil,  tfcc,  and  those  to 
whom  this  our  call  shall  be  offered,  as  speedily  as  i)0ssible,  to 
dismiss  the  Reverend  Domine  Barent  Vrooman  from  his  service 
at  the  Paltz,  Waalenkil.  etc.,  to  which  end  the  church  of  Sche- 
nectady recognize  the  justice  of  their  sliaring  with  the  aforesaid 
church  of  the  Paltz,  Waalenkil,  etc.,  in  the  expense  to  which 
they  were  put  in  sending  Domine  Vrooman  over  to  Holland  to  be 
ordained. 

Finally,  we  pray  the  great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep  this  our  call 
to  follow  with  his  divine  blessing,  that  the  same  may  redown  to 
the  magnifying  of  God's  holy  name,  the  upbuilding  of  his  church 
and  the  winning  and  salvation  of  many  souls.     Amen. 

Thus  done  by  us,  the  present  Consistory  of  the  Low  Dutch 
Reformed  Protestant  Church  at  Schenectady,  and  with  the  seal 
of  our  church  ratified  the  18th  day  of  September  Anno  17.>3. 

Signed  and  sealed  with  the  seal  of  ^    hendrick  Brouwer,    Elder 
our  Church  in   the  presence  of  V   John  Sanders,  " 

us,  Isaac  Vrooman,  John  Fairle}'.  )    Cornells  Van  Sleyk,      " 

Gerrit  a  Lansing,  " 

Seymon  Tol, 
Johannis  Hall, 
Elias  Post, 

Johannis  V.  Antwerj)en. 
Domine  Vrooman  arrived  in  Schenectady  on  the  first  day  of 
November,  1754,  and  on  the  third  day  preached  his  first  sermon.* 
On  the  17th  he  was  installed,  Domine  F'relinghuysen,  of  A]l)aiiy, 
preaching  the  sermon  on  that  occasion. 

The  expense  and  trouble  of  calling  a  minister  100  years  ago 
is  very  imperfectly  understood  by  those  of  the  present  day.  All 
candidates  in  theology  were  obliged  to  spend  more  or  less  time 
at  a  University  in  Fatherland,  and  after  their  ordination  they 

*  Nov.  I  1754,  Domine  Vroman  heir  gekomen. 

Nov.  3,  syn  eerste  text  Jesaias  III,  10,  11.  Segget  den  regtveerdigen  dat 
het  hem  vvel  gaan  sal,  &c 

— Abraham  De  Graaf 's  Bible. 
15 


114  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

returned  at  the  ex})ense  of  the  churches  callini^  them.  In  case 
of  a  subsequent  removal  it  was  customary  for  tliet-liurch  making 
the  call  to  pay  a  portion  of  this  expense. 

The  call  of  Domine  Vrooman  cost  the  t-hurch  of  Sdienectady 
$563,  nearly  half  of  which  was  paid  to  tlie  three  churches  of 
New  Paltz,  Walkil  and  Shawangunk. 

The  various  items  of  exj)enditures  are  shown  in  the  following 
statement  drawn  up  by  the  Consistoiy : 

"A  memorandum  of  expenditures  made  by  the  Consistory  in 
calling  Do.  Vrooman  from  New  Paltz:* 

1753.  To  Cornells   Van  Slyck   and  Isaac   Vrooman  to   tender 

the  call £5-12-0 

1754.  To  Joseph  R  Yates  for  his  horse  12  days  for 

Pliili])  Reylie  to  make  incpiiry  concerning  his 

coming 1-  4-0 

Sept.  To  Gerrit  H.  Lansing  and  Joseph  R.  Yates,  by 
order  of  the  full  Consistory,  sent  to  New 
York  to  request  Do.  Vrooman's  dismission  by 
the  Catus  there,  in  the  ])resence  of  Do.  Vroo- 
man, which  was  found  fruitless £6-  8-0 

To  the  Ski))per  for  bringing  up  some  goods  from  New 
York  and  for  riding  the  same  from  Albany 
for  Do.  Vrooman 1-13-0 

To  Abraham  ]\Iebie  and  Isaac  Vrooman  to  fetch  the 
Domine  from  his  station  at  New  Paltz 
and  satisfy  those  churches — for  their  expense 
and  trouble  having  been  gone  16  days  with 
their  horses 12-  0-0 

To  Claas  Van  Patten  for  shoeing  a  horse 2-  6-0 

To  three  ministers  who  gave  the  Domine  his  dismis- 
sion there  and  wrote  the  call — for  their 
trouble 10-  0-0 

For  a  sloop  hired  to  bring  up  the  Domine's  goods  from 

Sopus 4-10- 

*  Een  memorie  van  de  koste  die  de  Kerkenraat  Gedaen  hebbe  voor  Dom: 
Vrooman  te  beroepe  van  de  pals  ir.  als  volght  vizt: 

1753.  An  Cornelis  V.   Slyck  En  Isack  Vrooman  voor   het  Beroep  hem  an  te 

biede ^^5-12-0 

1754.  An  Joseph  R.  Yates  voor  12  Dage  van  zyn  paert  met  Philip 

Reylie  om  Een  ondersack  to  Doen  van  zyn  komst I-  4-0 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  1 1 .-) 

For  traveling  expenses  of  Abraham  Mebie  and  Isaac 

Yrooniaii 2-  7-2 

To  £50  in  satisfaction  for   a  liorsc  from  tlie  churches 

for  Do.  Vi-ooman 50-  0-0 

To  £19-14  as  a  payment  to  the  church  of  New  Paltz   19-14-0 

1756,  May  22,  To  £G6-6  as  a  payment  to  the  church 

of  Do.  Yrooman  at  Shawanounk  and  Walkil  66-  6-0 


£182-0-6 
To  the  Consistory  of  New  Paltz" 43 


Total [}§568] £225-0-6 

In  1774,  and  for  several  succeeding  years  he  officiated  occas- 
ionally at  Caughnawaga,  for  which  he  I'eceived  an  additional 
compensation  of  £25  yearly  from  his  Consistory.  The  deprecia- 
tion of  the  currency  during  the  revolutionary  war  compelled  the 
church  to  raise  the  nominal  salary  of  their  pastor.  Thus,  in  1770, 
by  reason  of  ^'descaarse  tyden^'  they  agree  to  add  to  it  £12 
quarterl)^ 

On  June  2^:),  1779,  the  church  i)aid  a  half  year's  salary  in  tlie 
following  sums : 
"  To    Domine    Yrooman    500    dollars    Continental    at    5  for 

one," £200-  0-0 

''  To  ditto  in  hard  money 5-  0-0 

and  £10  in  corn  from  the  mill,"  * 10-  0-0 

On  16th  of  September,  a  quarterly  salary  was  paid  as  follows  : 

"To  Domine  Yroomon  462  Dolls  and  1-6," £184-17-6 

'"And  in  hard  money 3-  6-6 

"  at  10  for  one  the  money  being  so  bad."  f 

Domine  Yrooman's  final  sickness  commenced  about  1780, 
fi'om  which  time  he  was  fi-eqneiitly  aided  by  his  clerical  breth- 
ren from  abroad — Rev.  Elias  Yan  lienschoten  of  Schaghticoke, 
Rev.  Theodoric  Romeyn  of  Ilackensack,  N.  J.,  Rev.  Jacob  R. 
Hardenburgh  of  Marbletown,  Rev.  Nicholas  Lansing  of  Living- 

*  Aen  Domine  Vrcotnan  50oDolders  Contenenteel  en  5  voor  een...  £200- 

Aen  ditto  Vrooman  aen  hart  gelt 5^ 

ande  ;[^io  aen  koren  uyt  de  meulen  voor  een  half  yaer  tractament. 

t  Aen  Domine  Vrooman  462  Dolders  en  1-6 ;^i84-i7-6 

ende  aen  hart  gelt 3~  6-6 

Voor  \  yaer  tractement  tegen  10  voor  een  het  gelt  so  sleght  te  syn. 


IIG  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

ston  Manor,  and  others.  For  these  occasional  services  the  con 
sistory  usually  j>aid  from  £3-5  to  £4  (<S  to  10  Dolls.)  for  each 
Sabbath's  services,  which  sum  seems  to  have  included  travelling 
expenses.  In  the  spring  of  1784  his  condition  became  hopeless, 
and  on  March  11th  the  consistory  resolved  to  call  another  min 
ister  to  be  co  pastor  with  him,  who,  they  say,  "has  now  for  a 
long  tinu-  in  (rod's  Providence  been  visited  with  a  dangerous 
palsy  in  his  right  side,  which  has  attlicted  his  Reverence  to  that 
degree  as  wholly  to  incapacitate  him  for  the  performance  of 
Divine  service."  * 

On  the  4th  of  April  the  Consistoiy  came  to  an  understanding 
with  him,  by  which  he  was  to  contimie  to  receive  his  salary  of 
£110  and  £10  yearly  for  the  rent  of  a  house,  and  if  he  recovered 
was  to  officiate  half  the  time  in  the  church  with  Do.  Romeyn, 
whom  they  had  called  on  that  day.  He  lived  to  see  his  successor 
installed  and  died  on  the  13th  of  Nov.  1784,  at  the  age  of  59 
years. 

He  was  married  to  Alida,  daughter  of  David  Vander  Heyden, 
of  Albany,  on  the  12th  of  January,  1760.  She  survived  him 
nearly  50  years,  dying  in  1823,  aged  99  years.  The  fruit  of  this 
marriage  was  three  children, — David,  Maria  Dorothea  and 
Walterus.  The  last  two  lived  to  mature  age.  JNIaria  married 
John  Louis  Victor  Le  Tonnelier,  by  Avhom  she  had  one  son,  the 
late  Dr.  John  Samuel  Le  Tonnelier  of  New  York.  David  left 
no  descendants. 

The  following  notices  of  Do.  Vrooman  and  his  people  are 
taken   from  the  Essex  (Mass.)   Institute  Historical  collections  : 

1758.  "  Dined  w'ith  Domine  Vrooman  Predikant  in  Schen 
ectady — in  height  0  feet  4  inches  and  ^,  and  everyway  large  in 
proportion;  preaches  without  notes  ^vith  little  premeditation.  Ex- 
plains a  text  A.  M.,  and  i)reaches  Diviiiity  in  ye  afternoon,  as 
he  has  bin  pleas'd  to  inform  me  several  times.  The  People  here 
attend  their  Publick  religious  exercises  with  great  Devotion." 

[Extracts  from  Rev.  Daniel  Shute's  Journal.] 

*****  die  nu  alvocr  langh  tydt,  onder  het  Vreymatige  der  God- 
elyke  Voorsienigheidt  besoght  is  gewest,  met  eene  gevaarlyke  Beroerte  in 
syn  reghte  syde  vvelke  syn  E.  dermaten  heeft  aangetroffen  dat  syn  E.  ganscb 
onbekwaam  is  ter  Waarneminge  van  den  Evangelie  Dienst. 

— Consistory  Minutes. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  Cllin^CII.  1 1 


1758.  "  Tuesday  [June]  20th,  this  day  tairied  at  Schenec- 
tady, took  some  view  of  tlie  town,  which  is  very  pleasantly  and 
compactly  situated  ;  according  to  my  judgement  it  is  large  as 
Charlestown,  near  Boston  ;  they  have  a  stone  chh,  or  meeting- 
house ;  the  minister  is  a  Dutchman  and  so  are  the  generality  of 
the  people." 

22.  "  Thursday.  We  attended  prayers  and  then  supped  at 
our  new  lodgings,  having  dined  with  Domine  yroom[an]  the 
Dutch  minister  of  Schenectady." 

24.  "  Saturday.  At  ju'ayers  this  evening  T  ma<le  a  speech 
of  some  length  to  the  Kegiment  as  they  were  to  march  the  next 
day  eai'ly  ;  there  were  present  many  of  the  towns  people,  both 
men  and  women.  The  people  of  the  town  are  very  sorry  that 
we  must  march  from  them. 

The  People  of  Schenecta<ly  were  quite  a  civil  and  they  have 
quite  a  good  sort  of  a  man  to  their  Minister." 

[Extract  from  the  journal  of  Rev.  John  Cleveland,  C"]ia])lain 
of  Col.  Jonathan  Bagley's  Regiment  in  the  French  war  of 
1758]. 

During  his  pastorate  of  30  years  Do.  Vrooman  married  386 
couples,  *  baptised  3,521  children  and  received  to  the  church  453 
members,  "f 

Time  has  destroyed  most  of  the  traditions  of  his  ministry  ;  it 
is  stated,  however,  by  one  who  knew  the  fathers  of  this|church  in 
the  early  years  of  this  century,  "  that  Domine  Vrooman  had 
more  heart  than  Doctor  Romeyn,  and  did  more  to  gain  the  hearts 
of  the  peojjle — was  more  familiar  and  social.  The  latter  was 
elevated  and  perhaps  distant — had  far  more  learning,  was  more 
intellectual  and  theological,  but  not  so  popular." 

*  From  June  25th,  1775,  to  June  9th,  1775,  no  record  was  made  (or  if 
made  has  been  lost)  of  any  marriages,  and  only  three  for  the  yeai    1766. 

+  From  October,  1772,  to  Julv  19th,  1783,  no  members  were  received  ac- 
cording to  the  record.  Do.  Romeyn's  complete  list,  however,  made  in  1785, 
soon  after  his  arrival,  shows  that  18  members  were  then  living  who  were  re- 
ceived in  1773,  but  that  in  the  nine  years  intervening  between  1773  and  1783 
none  were  admitted  to  the  church. 


118  lilSTOm'  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

1784-1804.       DOMIXK  ROMKVN  THE    .SKVKXTII  MINISTKR.       AOITA- 
TION  OK    TIIK    CHURCH    ABOUT    EXGLISII    rKEACIlINO. 

With  tlK'  wiuiiiig  century  passed  awaj'  many  of  the  ancient 
church  customs  inherited  from  Fatherland.  Domine  Komeyn  was 
the  last  of  that  long  line  of  ministers  who  had  from  the  days  of 
Thesschenmaecker  conducted  the  entire  services  of  the  church 
in  the  Dutch  language.  His  active  spirit  infused  a  new  influ- 
ence into  the  church  and  little  community  ;  an  inflnence  which 
is  felt  to  this  time  in  the  educational  institutions  of  the  city. 

He  was  born  in  Hackensack.  N.  J.,  the  youngest  child  of 
Nicholas  Komeyn  and  Kachel  Vreeland,  The  rudiments  of  his 
education  he  acquired  partly  under  the  tuition  of  his  brother,  the 
Kev.  Thomas  Romeyn,  then  minister  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
churches  on  the  Delaware,  and  partly  under  that  of  the  Rev. 
Doctor  Johannes  H.  Goetschius,  pastor  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
churches  of  Hackensack  and  Schraalenbergh,  N.  J.  In  1703  he 
became  a  member  of  Princetown  College,  then  under  the  care 
of  President  Finley,  and  was  graduated  in  1765. 

"  At  the  early  age  of  nine  years  it  pleased  God,  as  he  hoped, 
to  make  him  a  subject  of  his  special  grace.  He  nnide  a  public 
])rofession  of  his  faith  in  the  I^ord  Jesus  either  at  the  close  of 
his  16th  or  at  the  beginning  of  his  17th  year.  Contemplating 
the  work  of  the  ministry  from  the  time  when  it  i)leased  God  to 
call  him  by  his  grace,  he  combined  the  ac(piisition  of  theology 
with  that  of  luiman  hnowledge.  In  consecpience  of  this  he  was 
early  qualified  to  offer  himself  for  the  ministry  to  the  Reverend 
Coetus  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church.  That  body,  after  two 
days  of  examination,  sustained  his  trials  and  admitted  him  into 
the  ministry.  He  was  ordained  by  the  Rev.  John  Schureman 
and  the  Rev.  Johannes  H.  Goetsching,  as  pastor  of  the  united 
churches  of  Marbletown,  Rochester  and  Wawarsinck,  on  the 
14th  of  May,  1766.  In  1775  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  united 
congregations  of  Hackensack  and  Schraalenbcrgh  in  New  Jer- 
sey, and  was  installed  pastor  of  the  same  by  Rev.   Samuel  Ver 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  1 1 9 

bryck.  Here  he  remained  throvighout  the  Revolutionary  w  ar, 
preaching  whenever  he  eouhl,  suffering  Avitli  his  peo|tle  and  en- 
couraging them  by  his  word  and  example."  * 

In  1778,  six  years  before  Do.  Vrooman's  death,  this  church 
invited  Do.  Romeyn  to  visit  Schenectady,  a])])aivntly  with  the 
intent  of  calling  him  to  be  their  assistant  minister.  fit  was 
not,  however,  until  April,  1784  that  the  formal  call  was  ten- 
dered. After  due  deliberation  it  was  accepted  on  the  26th  of 
August,  X  and  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  November  lie  was  installed 
by  the  Rev.  Dr,  Westerlo,  of  Albany.  || 

The  salary  promised  in  this  call  was  £140  ($350),  with  free 
house  rent,  garden,  pasture  for  two  cows  and  a  horse,  and  sev- 
enty loads  of  fire  wood  delivered  at  the  door.  In  1796  this  was 
raised  to  £200  with  the  promise  of  a  pension  of  £30  to  his 
widow  in  case  of  his  death,  and  in  1797  £100,  and  in  1798  and 
1799  £50  were  added  to  his  regular  salary  on  account  of  the 
high  price  of  provisions.  ** 

Among  his  first  labors  in  Schenectady  was  an  attempt  to  im- 
prove the  schools  and  establish  an  Academy  and  seminary,  ff 
The  result  Avas  a  charter  for  Union  College,  which  institution  he 
lived  to  see  commence  its  prosperous  career  under  the  manage- 
ment of  Doctors  John  Blair  Smith,  Jonathan  Edwards  and  Jon- 
atliau  Maxey.  Xt 

For  some  years  after  his  settlement  here  this  was  the  only 
Dutch  Reformed  church  witliin  the  ancient  limits  of  the  town, 
and  as  a  consequence  the  congregation  then  (piite  numerous, 
was  much  scattered,  and  the  pastoral  care  laborious.  In  a  com- 
munication to  the  Consistory  made  in  1793,  Do.  Romeyn  states 
that  the  accountable  members  of  the  church  amounted  to  a  few 


*  Alden's  Epitaphs,  IV,    223. 

t  Letter  dated  Mar.  14,  1778. 

X  Letter. 

II  Alden's  Epitaphs  IV,  223. — Do.  Westerloo  was  paid  for  his  services  on 
this  occasion,  /^g-S-S. 

**  Church  books. 

+t  17th  May,  1785.  The  Reverend  President  [Romeyn]  reported  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Schenectady  some  disasters  relative  to  the.  school  to  be  established  at 
that  place  had  prevented  the  scheme  from  being  carried  into  effect:  where- 
fore the  matter  of  a  Seminary  at  that  place  is  further  intrusted  to  the  gentle- 
men appointed  on  the  Committee.  — Min.  Gen.  Synod,  I,  135. 

++  Appendix  B.  > 


120  HISTOKY  OF  THE  CHrKClI. 


less  than  600,  wlio  were  so  scattered  that  it  was  impossible  for 
one  minister  to  lt»t)k  after  them.  Whereupon  the  Consistory 
took  into  eonsideratiou  the  calling  of  a  second  minister,  and  re- 
solved to  call  a  meetino-  of  the  (ireat  Consistory  to  deliberate  on 
this  matter. 

(3n  the  third  of  September  the  (ireat  Consistory  api)roved  of 
the  project,  but  coiniselled  the  acting  consistory  to  increase  the 
subscrii)tion  for  a  second  minister,  to  £l oO.  *  Acting  in  ac- 
cordance with  this  advice,  on  the  1st  day  of  October,  17!>4,  three 
persons  were  proposed  from  whom  a  choice  was  to  be  made, 
viz.  : 

Rev.  Nicholas  Xnu  Vrankeii,  of  Fislikill,  Kev.  James  Van 
Campen  Ilomeyn,  of  Greenbush,  and  Proponent  Jacob  Sickels. 

The  first  named  was  chosen,  and  on  the  7th  of  Nov.,  the  con- 
sistory resolved  to  pay  him  a  salary  of  £200,  sixty  loads  of  wood 
free  pasture  for  a  hoi-se  and  two  cows,  or  £25  yearly  instead  and 
one-half  the  perquisites  of  the  office. 

March  16th  1705,  Do.  Van  Vranken  answered  that  he  would 
jterhaps  accept  the  call  provided  a  house  were  furnished  him — a 
condition  which  was  not  complied  with,  for  on  the  27th  of  April 
he  declined  the  call  and  the  consistory  thereupon  appointed  Mr. 
Jacob  Sickels,  then  a  student  of  theology.  He  came  to  Sche- 
nectady in  October,  1795,  and  reniained  nearly  two  years,  leav- 
ing in  the  summer  of  1797. 

After  his  departure  Do.  Komeyn  remained  sole  minister  of 
the  church  for  five  years  with  the  exce])tion  of  the  occasional 
assistance  of  a  Catechiser  for  the  children,  t 

— *Consistory  minutes. 

+  25  Dec.  1798.  The  Consistory,  considering  the  propriety  of  appointing  a 
person  to  catechise  the  youth  and  others  of  this  congregation  in  the  country, 
recommended  to  the  succeeding  consistory  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Harmanus 
Van  Vleck  as  suited  to  this  work. 

4  June,  1799.  Agreeable  to  the  recommendation  of  the  25th  December 
last,  the  consistory  proceeded  to  appoint  H.  Van  Vleck  "to  catechise  the 
youth  of  this  congregation  for  six  months  ;  one  week  on  the  North  and  the 
other  on  the  South  side  of  the  river  nnd  so  on  alternately  ;  and  that  he  attend 
two  or  three  days  in  the  week  at  such  places  is  the  consistory  shall  recom- 
mend, and  that  he  receive  for  such  service  at  the  end  of  six  months  the  sum 

— Consistory  minutes. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  1  -2 1 

And  though  the  duties  required  of  him  in  maintaining  tlie 
'oversi<»-ht  of  so  large  and  scattered  a  congregation  was  a  severe 
tax  upon  his  physical  power,  his  first  serious  illness  did  not  occur 
until  the  summer  of  1801,*  when  the  church  granted  him  a 
much  needed  vacation,  and  at  the  beginning  of  the  following 
year  set  about  in  earnest  the  procuring  a  coadjutor,  f 

By  the  middle  of  the  year  1802  he  became  ])ermanently  inca- 
pacitated for  the  full  performance  of  his  ministerial  duties  and 
agreed  to  relinquish  all  claims  upon  the  church  under  his  call 
and  to  accept  instead  a  salary  of  $520.  He  was  required  to 
preach  but  one  sermon  on  the  Sabbath — in  Dutch.  J 

In  October  the  church  called  the  Rev.  John  Hardenburg 
Meier,  of  New  Paltz,  as  an  assistant  minister,  and  in  the  spring 
following  he  entered  upon  his  labors.  Dr.  Romeyn  survived 
nearly  a  year  and  closed  his  labors  on  earth  on  the  1 6th  of  April, 
1804,  at  the  age  of  60  years. 

He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Wessel  and  Catharine 
(Dubois)   Brodhead,  of  Ulster  county,  June  11,  1767. 

Two  children  arrived  at  maturity — John  Brodhead  Romeyn, 
who  died  22d  of  February,  1825,  in  his  47th  year,  pastor  of  the 
Cedar  Street  Church,  New  York,  and  Catharine  Theresa,  wife 
of  Caleb  Beck,  of  Schenectady. 

Mrs.  Romeyn  died  at  Schenectady  Jan.  27,  (?)  1815,  aged  74 
years,  7  months  and  11  days. 

During  Dr.  Romeyn's  ministry  in  Schenectady,  he  mar- 
ried 945  couples,  baptised  3541  children,  and  received  to  the 

*  3d  Aug.  i8oi.  "Dr.  Romeyn,  our  Pastor,  having  been  visited  with  in- 
disposition such  as  requires  relaxation  and  exercise,  therefore  requested  leave 
of  absence  for  a  time  to  recover  his  health." 

"Resolved  that  leave  be  given  him  accordingly  in  confidence  that  he  will 
resume  bis  service  as  soon  as  he  is  able."  — Consistory  Min. 

t  1st  Mar.  1802,  the  Consistory  called  a  meeting  of  the  Great  Consistory 
to  consider  the  state  of  the  church,  &c.,  and  in  view  of  Dr.  Romeyn's  age  and 
growing  infirmities,      "  Resolved  that  it  is  expedient  to  call  a  second  minister.'' 

— Consistory  M'.iuies. 

t30'hAug.  1802.  The  nature  of  D;.  Rotieyn's  disease  is  shown  in  the 
preamble  to  the  lesolutions  passed  by  the  Cons'sto.y  on  this  occasion. 

"  Whereas  it  has  pleased  Divine  Providence  to  afflict  this  congregation  by 
a  visitation  of  his  faithful  servant,  the  Rev.  Dirck  Romeyn,  our  worthy  pastor, 
with  an  infirmity  apparently  partaking  in  its  nature  of  the  palsy,  &c. 

— Consistory  Minutes. 
16 


122  HISTOIiY  OF  THE  CIU'IJC  II. 

church   248  members.     Tii   tlie  beginniujjf  of  the  year  1785  he 
nuide  a  comjilete  list  of  llie  members  liviiitj^,  which  amounted  < 
to  414. 

Doctor  liomevn*  was  a  man,  who  HvimI  not  for  himself,  but 
for  God  and  his  fellow-creatures.  To  his  exertions  the  i)ublic 
are  indebted,  first  for  the  Academy,  which  formerly  existed  in 
Schenectady,  and  afterward  for  the  establisliment  of  Union  Col- 
Icije  in  that  place.  In  1797  the  (rcneral  Synod  of  the  IJeformed 
Dutch  Church  elected  him  one  of  their  Professors  of  Theology." 

"He  was  blessed  with  a  vigorous  mind.  His  passions  were 
strong  but  they  were  controlled  by  reason  and  grace.  His  liter- 
ary, scientific  and  professional  ac(purements  were  so  respectable 
as  to  entitle  him  to  a  rank  among  the  first  of  his  brethren  in  his 
own  or  any  sister  church.  He  was  open  and  frank  in  his  dispo- 
sition, affable  and  unassuming  in  his  manners.  He  was  pos- 
sessed of  a  noble  independence  of  spirit,  and  few  have  ever  dis- 
played an  equal  liberality  of  conduct. 

In  the  discharge  of  his  duty  he  exhibited  the  zeal  of  the  prim- 
itive discii>les  of  Jesus,  and  he  never  knew  what  it  was  to  fear 
the  face  of  any  man  upon  earth  His  bohhiess  of  address  like 
that  of  Paul,  Avas  not  unfrequently  sufficient  to  make  a  Felix 
tremble.  He  was  solemn  in  his  rebukes,  tender  in  his  expostu- 
lations and  pursuasive  in  his  instructions.  The  style  of  his 
preaching  was  bold,  plain,  pungent,  intelligent,  sometimes  pathe- 
tic and  always  eloquent.  His  sermons,  the  fruit  of  deej)  investi- 
gation, were  replete  with  the  most  important  and  most  interest- 
ing instruction,  and  they  were  uniformly  delivered  in  the  most 
natural  aiid  impressive  manner ;  yet  the  Great  Head  of  the  church 
did  not  see  fit  to  grant  him  that  extensive  visiblq  success,  which 
often  attend  the  labors  of  those  who  to  hunnin  ai)pearance,  are 
gi-eatly  his  inferiors  as  to  ministerial  abilities  and  graces.  It 
was  in  reference  to  this  fact  that  his  son  added  the  scriptural 
passage  which  forms  a  i)art  of  his  momimental  inscription.  The 
rest  of  theei)itaj)h  was  \mtten — exce]>t  the  dates  and  those  parts 
dejjending  upon  them — by  Doctor  Romeyn  himself. 

The  subject  of  this  ailicle  was  an  able  counsellor,  a  sincere 
friend,  an  honest  mau,  a  digiiified  and  affectionate  husbaii<l  and 
parent. 

*  The  following  estimate  of  Dr.  Romeyn's  character  is  taken  from  Alden's 
Epitaphs,  IV,  223. 


IIISTOUY  OF  THE  C'HUKCH.  123 

He  was  but  oiK'O  iiianicd  ami  left  two  chiUlroii,  a  son  aiul  a 
daughter." 

"The  late  Rev.  John  H.  Meiei-,  colleague  and  sueeessor  of 
the  venerable  Doctor  liomeyn,  delivered  a  sermon,  occasioned 
bv  his  death,  from  the  manuscript  copy  of  which  the  following 
characteristic  sketch  is  here  jjreserved." 

"  Perhaps  no  period  of  his  life  was  filled  up  with  more  affect 
ing  and  trying  incidents  than  during  his   stay   among  that  peo- 
ple (his  first  charge).     For  the  si)ace  of  seven  years  he  was  in  a 
state  of  continued  exile  by  means  of  the  war,  and  subject  Avith 
his  family  to  all  its  painful  calamities. 

"In  all  his  perils  and  sojournings  to  and  fro,  a  merciful  God 
preserved  his  servant  in  his  way  and  gave  him  once  moi-e,  u})on 
the  return  of  peace,  to  return  to  his  home  and  his  charge  in 
])eace  and  safety. 

"  Since  his  advent  to  this  place  the  details  of  his  life  are  bet- 
ter known  to  you  than  to  me.  They  are  doubtless  still  fresh  in 
the  memory  of  you  all.  Besides  othere  of  an  ordinary  nature, 
he  has  uniformly  had  in  view  the  prosecution  of  two  peculiarly 
favorite  and  highly  interesting  objects.  From  the  moment  he 
arrived  among  you  he  contemplated  the  establishment  of  a  col- 
lege, nor  did  he  lose  sight  of  his  object,  until  by  uninterrupted 
exertions  and  the  co-operation  of  others  he  com])assed  his  wishes 
and  gained  his  purpose.  It  is  perhaps  but  justice  to  declare  that 
to  his  more  than  to  the  exertions  of  any  other  person  we  are  in- 
debted for  the  present  Institution.  The  other  object  equally 
near  and  more  dear  to  his  heart,  for  which  he  labored  with  equal 
zeal  and  perseverance,  was  the  extension  of  the  Church.  Much 
praise  is  due  to  him  for  his  unwearied  and  uin-emitted  exertions 
in  this  respect.  They  were  crowned  with  success,  and  the  wil- 
derness is  glad  in  consequence  thereof.  Whilst  in  this  quartei- 
of  Zion  he  has  yielded  his  church  and  its  interests  the  most 
essential  services,  may  these  be  duly  appreciated  and  rightly  ac- 
knowledge. 

"He  has  been  particularly  successful  in  training  young  men  for 
the  ministry.  Appointed  at  fii-st  by  the  judicature  of  his  church 
to  the  office  of  a  teacher  and  afterwards  in  1707,  to  the  office  of 
professor  of  theology,  he  contiinied  to  discharge  the  iucunibcnt 
duties  with  honor  to  himself  and  to  the  benefit  of  others  till  the 
close  of  this  life.     The  i>ui)ils  of  his  care  lift  up  their  voices  in 


124  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

the  cities  tmd  instruct  in  the  wilds.  As  an  evidence  of  the  high 
respect  lie  coninianded  in  society  he  was  twice  honored  with  the 
offer  of  the  Presidency  of  Queens  [now  Rutgers]  College,  and 
received  at  her  hand,  as  a  tribute  of  respect  due  to  his  merit,  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity. 

"He  maintained  tiirough  life  a  conspicuous  and  elevated 
standing,  was  resi)ected  and  revered,  and  de})arted  this  life  with 
a  high  and  well-eiirned  reputation.  After  having  run  well  and 
served  his  (iod  in  the  Gospel  for  the  space  of  thirty-eight  years, 
he  finished  his  course  in  the  sixty-first  year  of  his  age  on  the 
16th  day  of  Ai)ril,  1804. 

"The  Rev.  Doctor  Romeyn  was  of  manly  stature,  tall  and 
portly,  dignified  in  his  mien  and  comman<ling  in  his  manners 
and  address.  He,  moreover,  possessed  a  mind  strong  and  ener- 
getic and  more  than  ordinarily  comprehensive,  capable  of  view- 
ing thing  in  their  natures,  their  connexions,  their  de])endencies 
and  ends.  His  apprehension  was  quick,  his  understanding  clear 
and  informed.  His  judgement  was  sound  and  mature  and  his 
memory  remarkably  retentive.  In  the  aj)plication  of  these 
powers  of  mind  he  was  chiefly  bent  upon  his  professional  stud- 
ies. In  these  he  most  delighted  and  labored  the  most  of  all  to 
excel.  He,  however,  had  also  a  thirst  for  the  Pierian  Spring, 
and  pressed  forward  to  the  scholar's  goal.  He  was  well  versed 
in  the  circles  of  general  science,  well  read  in  history  and  had 
made  no  mean  attainments  in  the  philosphy  of  the  human  mind. 
In  this  latter  his  talent  perhaps  was  most  improvable.  To  him 
the  name  of  scholar  and  divine  was  not  misai)plied. 

'•  111  the  discharge  of  his  ministerial  functions  he  proved  him- 
self an  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament — a  watchman  that 
needed  not  to  be  ashamed.  As  he  had  loved  the  doctrines  of 
Grace  and  had  experienced  their  power  and  influence  on  his  own 
heart,  so  also  he  insisted  upon  them  in  his  public  ministra- 
tions. His  theme  universally  was  Christ  and  him  crucified. 
His  manner  was  bold,  intrepid  and  daring.  In  the  execution  of 
his  duries  he  was  neither  daunted  nor  moved.  He  was  the 
Boanerges  of  the  day.  When  he  reproved  the  sinner  trembled. 
When  he  jjronounced  Ebal's  curses  against  the  wicked,  it  was 
like  the  thunders  of  Sinai.  He  was,  however,  not  incapable  of 
the  pathetic.  He  could  at  times  move  the  heart  and  melt  the 
audience  into  tears.     His  discourses  were  solid   and  interesting, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  125 

ofttimes  enliveiiedby  liistorical  uuccdotos.  In  tlu-  introduction  of 
these  he  was  peculiarly  haj)i)y.  He  always  enterc<l  deep  into  liis 
subject.  His  delivery  was  animated  and  unatlccted,  without 
ostentation  and  becoming  his  subject.  He  aimed  at  nothing  but 
what  was  perfectly  natural. 

"In  his  intercourse  with  the  world  he  supported  a  becoming 
dignity.  Independence  of  action  marked  his  path  through  its  busy 
rounds.  He  knew  not  how  to  dissemble.  He  was  ])()lite  to  all, 
familiar  with  few.  This  rendered  the  circle  of  his  intimates  con- 
tracted and  the  number  of  his  confidential  friends  small.  In  his 
conversation  he  was  interesting,  always  instructing.  His  family, 
in  him,  have  lost  an  affectionate  relative,  a  watchful  guardian, 
and  a  great  example  ;  the  church  a  pillar,  and  society  an  orna- 
ment. 

"  He  was  an  ardent  advocate  of  religious  and  civil  liberty. 
This  he  evinced  by  resisting  the  pretentions  of  the  mother 
church  in  Holland,  and  by  his  firm  attachment  to  the  principles 
of  the  Revolution." 

During  the  ministry  of  Dr.  Romeyn  the  church  was  seriously 
disturbed  on  the  subject  of  English  i)reaching.  Thirty  years 
before,  in  1764,  this  innovation  had  been  first  made,  in  the  Dutch 
church  of  New  York  city,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Archibald  Laidlie. 

English  had  been  the  official  language  of  the  executive  and 
legislative  branches  of  the  government,  as  well  as  the  judiciary 
of  the  Province,  from  the  time  of  the  surrender  by  the  Dutch  in 
1664,  and  before  the  close  of  the  last  century  was  better  under- 
stood, perhaps,  by  the  youths  of  the  villages  and  cities  than  their 
native  Dutch. 

In  1794,  when  the  agitation  commenced,  there  were  two 
churches  in  Schenectady — the  Episcopal  and  Presbyterian,  in 
which  weekly  services  were  held  in  the  English  language. 

To  prevent  the  members  of  the  Dutch  congregation  from  be- 
ing enticed  away  from  their  own  church,  on  the  6th  of  Febru 
ary,  1794,  Messrs.  Joseph  Yates,  Abram  Oothout,  Dirk  Van 
Ingen  and  Stephen  N.  Bayard,  leading  members  of  the  church, 
appeared  before  the  Consistory  and  called  their  attention  to  the 
necessity  of  calling  a  second  minister  and  to  the  increasing  of 
the  religious  services  in  the  English  language,  "  to  the  end  that 
the  church  be  not  scattered."  * 

*  ten  eynde  de  Gemeente  niet  verstroyt  werde." 


126  TIISTOKV  OF  TIIK  cnFliCH. 

Dr.  Romeyn  read  to  them  the  action  of  the  Consistory  and 
Great  Consistory,  of  the  27th  of  Ausj^nst  and  3d  of  September 
hist,  and  tlie  Consistory  again  resolved  to  use  their  best  endeav- 
ors to  increase  tlie  subscri))tion  for  a  second  minister. 

To  carry  out  the  siiii;nesti()n  maik'  by  tliese  gentU'incn,  one 
Aveek  hiter,  to  wit :  on  tlie  \'M\i  day  of  February,  1704,  the  Con- 
sistory resolved  : 

1st,  That  for  all  i-omingtime  so  long  as  there  are  twenty  fam- 
ilies in  the  church,  who  attend  Divine  Service  in  the  church  of 
the  village,  who  contribute  from  time  to  time  with  others  their 
just  ])r()i)ortion  for  the  maintenance  of  Divine  Service,  and  who 
declare  that  they  can  be  better  instructed  in  the  Dutch  than  in 
any  other  tongue,  so  long,  either  the  forenoon  or  afternoon  ser- 
mon in  the  church  of  the  village  shall  be  delivered  in  the  Dutch 
and  the  other  in  the  English  tongue.  * 

2d,  The  Consistory  say  that  when  a  second  minister  shall  be 
called,  there  shall  be  a  Sunday  evening  service  in  Dutch,  so  long 
as  it  shall  be  well  attended,  but  if  it  be  neglected  they  will  make 
such  other  arrangements  as  shall  be  best  for  the  ])ros|)erity  of 
the  church. 

3d,  That  the  catechetical  exercises  shall  be  in  a  different  lan- 
JTuaire  from  the  evening  sermon. 

4th,  That  when  the  church  shall  have  two  ministers,  one  shall 
preach  once  a  fortnight  in  the   Woe^tijne.  t 

And  the  weekly  evening  lecture  shall  be  in  a  different  lan- 
guage from  the  Sunday  evening  sermon.  % 

It  is  quite  evident  the  above  concession  was  anything  but  a 
peace  offering  and  that  it  carried  too  nuich  English  and  too  lit- 
tle Dutch,  foi-  on  the  17th  day  of  June,  1704  the  Great  Consis- 
toiy  were  called  together  again    to  confer  respecting  English 

*  I,  Dat  in  all  toekomende  tydt  zo  lange  'ez  twentig  famelien  zyn  in  ds  Ge- 
meente  die  den  Godsdienst  bywonen  in  de  kerk  van  het  Dorp,  Die  haar  ger- 
eghtigd  deel  van  den  order  baud  der  Godsdienst  van  tydt  tot  tydt  nefifens  an- 
dere  toe  brengen  ;  en  die  verklaren  bieter  gestight  te  kunnen  \yerde  in  de 
Duytsche  dan  in  eenige  andere  Taai,  Dat  zo  lange  't  zy  de  voor  of  namidags 
Predikatie  in  de  Kerk  van  het  Dorp  door  een  der  Predikanten  in  het  duytsh 
zal  geddan  werden,  de  andere  zal  in  de  Engelsche  taal  geschieden. 

tThe  westerly  part  of  the  town  (now  county)  was  called  the  IVoestyiie  or 
Wilderness. 

X  Consistory  Minutes. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  127 

preaching ;  and  they  advise  in  respect  to  Article  1,  of  the  resohi- 
tions  of  the  13th  of  Februray,  that  it  would  be  best  to  change 
it  and  that  for  the  present  a  sermon  be  preached  in  the  P^nglish 
tonmie  in  the  village  everv  other  Sunday,  instead  of  every  Sun- 
day,  either  in  the  forenoon  or  afternoon,  and  in  regard  to  Arti- 
cle 2,  that  the  Sunday  evening  service  be  in  the  English  lan- 
guage. * 

By  this  change  one  sermon  every  tsvo  weeks  was  to  be 
preached  in  English,  and  if  a  second  minister  were  called  the 
Sunday  evening  lecture  was  to  be  in  the  same  language. 

On  the  2d  of  October,  1795,  Rev.  Jacob  Sickels  was  called  as 
assistant  ministei-  to  Dr.  Roraeyn,  and  remained  two  years. 

Nothing  in  the  Consistory  minutes  would  lead  one  to  suppose 
that  the  matter  of  English  preaching  was  seriously  agitated 
again  until  the  year  1798,  soon  after  Do.  Sickles  left. 

On  the  19th  of  March,  1798,  the  Consistory  took  into  consid- 
eration the  necessity  of  preaching  in  the  English  language 
more  than  has  hitherto  been  done,  that  the  rising  generation 
may  be  preserved  from  connecting  themselves  to  other  denomi- 
nations, and  came  to  the  following  resolution  : 

*  *  *  *  That  it  be  reconmiended  to  Dr.  Romeyn  to 
preach  one  sermon  in  English  on  every  other  Lord's  day  after- 
noon, until  consistory  shall  iiiid  it  necessary  to  increase  the  Eng- 
lish service. 

Resolved,  Also  that  the  clerk  be  directed  to  procure  at  his 
own  cost,  an  English  clerk  to  be  approved  of  by  the  consistory 
to  perform  the  duties  when  worship  is  carried  on  in  English. 

And  on  the  21st  of  February,  1799,  it  was  moved  and  second- 
ed that  the  board  [consistory]  procure  English  bibles  for  the  use 
of  the  consistory,  when  it  was 

Resolved,  that  eight  English  Bibles  be  purchased  accordingly 
and  that  Mr.  Yates  purchase  the  same  as  soon  as  convenient. 

On  the  I3th  of  May,  1799  it  was  moved  in  consistory  by  Mr. 
John  S.  Glen  and  seconded  by  Mr.  Henry  Yates,  that  in  future 

*  De  oudt  Kerkenraadt  adviseerde  om  trent  Art.  I,  van  den  13  Feb.  dat  't 
best  zoude  zyn  dit  te  Veranderen  an  te  stellen  dat  voor  hat  tegenwoordige  om 
de  andere  zondag  in  plaats  van  elke  zondag  de  voor  of  namiddag  Predikatie 
in  het  Dorp  in  de  Engelsche  taal  te  zullen  geschieden  :  en  omtrent  Art.  2, 
Dat  de  zondag  Avondt  dienst  in  het  Engelsch  Taal  geescbieden. 

— Consistory  Minutes. 


128  HISTORY  OF  THE  ClIUKCII. 


Divine  Servici.'  in  the  Dutch  Reformed  Churcli  be  done  one-lialf 
in  the  Dutch  and  tlie  English  hiuguage.  * 

Again  on  tlie  2nd  of  July,  1790,  the  motion  for  ])reaeliing 
half  the  time  in  English  was  once  more  taken  uj),  and  after  ma- 
ture consideration  it  was 

Resolved,  unanimously,  That  in  future  one-half  of  tlie  service 
on  every  Lord's  day  be  done  in  the  P^nglish  language. 

22  November,  1799.  Messrs.  Abram  Fonda,  Zeger  Van 
Santvoord,  Jellis  Fonda  and  Cornelis  Van  Santvoord,  requested 
that  the  consistorv  would  alter  their  order  respecting  English 
preaching — and  the  consistory  took  this  request  into  consider- 
ation. 

30th  November,  1799.  The  consistory  finding  from  informa 
tion  given  that  some  uneasiness  prevails  amongst  a  few  of  the 
older  class  of  their  people,  on  account  of  the  present  order  in 
respect  to  English  preaching,  and  desirous  at  all  times  to  pur- 
sue that  which  may  work  for  peace  and  edification. 

Resolved,  Therefore,  that  their  resolution  of  the  2d  of  July 
last  be  altered  to  read  thus,  viz.  :  That  it  be  recommended  to. 
the  minister  of  our  church  to  preach  in  English  as  frequent  as 
the  consistory  shall  from  time  to  time  direct. 

Thereupon,  Resolved,  Tliat  it  is  hereby  recommended  and 
directed  that  the  Rev.  D.  Romeyn  do  in  future  preach  one  Sab- 
bath out  of  three  entirely  in  Dutch,  and  the  other  two,  one-half 
of  the  service  to  be  in  the  English  language  and  in  the  afternoon 
in  each,  and  that  until  consistory  shall  direct  otherwise,  f 

This  last  compromise  closed  the  long  agitation.  The  battle 
of  the  tongues  here  closed,  and  when  Domine  Romeyn's  long 
and  honored  ministry  terminated  in  1804,  stated  Dutch  preach- 
ing ended  in  the  church  of  Schenectady. 

—  *  Consistory  minutes. 
—  t  Consistory  minutes. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  129 


CHAPTER  X. 

1795 -18(39.         RKV.      MESSRS.     SICKLE.S,      M^:iKK,     HOCAUDL'S,     VAN 
VECllTKN,  TAVI.OK,  J.   K.   SEELYE,    E.   E.   SEEF.VE  AND  WOKTMAN. 

Rev.  Jacob  Sickels  the  Eighth  Minister. 

Mr.  Sickles  was  boru  at  Tappan,  in  1772,  graduated  at  Co- 
lumbia C/ollege  in  1792,  studied  theology  under  Doctors  Froe- 
ligli  and  LiA'ingston,  and  was  licensed  by  the  Classes  of  New 
York  in  1794. 

He  was  called  as  assistant  minister  of  this  church  on  the  2d 
day  of  October,  1795,  being  then  a  divinity  student.  His  salary 
was  £200  ($500). 

At  the  end  of  two  years  he  received  a. call  to  the  church  of 
Coxsackie  and  Coeymans,  and  announced  to  the  Consistory  Sep- 
tember 21,  1797  that  he  had  concluded  to  accept  the  call. 

He  remained  pastor  of  these  churches  until  1801,  when  he  ac- 
cepted a  call  from  the  church  of  Kinderhook,  where  he  contin- 
ued until  his  death  in  1845. 

"  His  field  at  Kinderhook  was  very  extensive,  embracing  the 
present  area  of  several  churches.  His  laboi's  were  greatly  bles- 
sed, the  numbers  professing  their  faith  under  his  ministry  avera- 
ging twenty  a  year  for  thii-ty  years.  As  a  pastor  he  had  many 
excellencies.  He  was  noted  for  uniform  and  sincere  affection 
and  his  proverbial  prudence.  * 

His  first  wife  was  Catharine,  daughter  of  Hon.  Henry  Glen, 
of  Schenectady,  whom  he  married  August  1,  1797.  She  died 
within  a  year  after  marriage. 

Rev,  John  Hardenherg  Meier,  the  Ninth  Minister,  1803-1806. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Meier,  son  of  Rev.  Harmanus  Meier,  of  Pomp- 
ton  Plains,  N.  J.,  was  born  on  the  19th  day  of  October  1774. 
He  graduated  at  Columbia  College  in  1795,  studied  theology 
under  Doctor  Livingston,  and  was  licensed  by  the  Classis  of  New 
York  in  1798. 

*  Corwin's  Manual. 

17 


130  HISTOliY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

His  first  pastoral  cliarge  was  the  Church  of  New  Paltz  and 
New  Hurley,  where  he  was  installed  minister  in  1799.  In  Oc- 
tober, 1802,  he  received  and  accepted  a  call  from  this  church  as 
assistant  minister  to  Do.  Romeyn,  whose  physical  disabilities 
demanded  some  relief.  His  salary  was  $6G2.50,  with  house  and 
lot  of  ground  140  ft.  by  100  ft.,  Amsterdam  measure,  the  rent 
of  which  was  estimated  at  the  low  rent  of  $87. oO,  which  being 
added  to  his  salary  made  his  compensation  $750  or  £300  New 
York  currency. 

The  following  is  the  call  of  3Ir.  3Ieier : 

To  the  Rev  John  H.  Myer,  minister  of  the  gospel  at  New  Paltz, 

[l.  s.]     &c.,  m  the  County  of  Ulster,  and  State  of  New  York. 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  from  God  our   Father,  and  Jesu8 

Christ  our  Lord. 

Whereas  the  Church  of  Je;sus  Christ,  in  the  City  of  Schenec- 
tady, and  in  the  County  of  Albany,  fi-om  its  extensiveness  and 
numbers,  together  with  the  increase  of  years  upon  our  present 
Pastor,  the  Reverend  Dirck  Romeyn.  and  the  incidents  i)eculiar 
to  an  advanced  state  of  life,  stands  in  great  need  of  increasing 
the  stated  preaching  of  the  word  and  regular  administration  of 
the  ordinances ;  and  being  desirous  to  enlarge  the  means  of 
Grace,  which  (4od  has  appointed  for  the  salvation  of  sinners 
through  Jesus  Christ  his  son,  by  the  calling  of  a  second  minister 
to  and  with  our  present  minister  the  Rev.  Dirk  Romeyn  afore- 
said : — 

And,  Whereas  the  said  Church  are  from  information  well 
satisfied  of  the  Piety,  Gifts  and  jNIinisterial  Qualifications  of  you, 
John  H.  Myer,  and  hath  good  hope  that  your  labors  in  the  Gos- 
pel will  be  attended  with'  a  blessing.  Therefore  we,  the  Minis- 
ter, Elders  and  Deacons  of  the  Refoi-med  Protestant  Dutch 
Church,  in  the  City  of  Schenectady  aforesaid,  with  the  advice 
and  'approbation  of  a  respectable  number  of  the  members  and 
people  of  this  Church  have  Resolved  to  call,  and  we  do  hereby 
solemnly  and  m  the  name  of  the  Lord  call  you  the  said  John  H. 
Meyer,  to  be  our  pastor  and  teacher,  to  ])reach  the  word  in  truth- 
fulness, to  administer  the  Holy  Sacrament  agreeable  to  the  In- 
stitution of  Christ,  to  maintain  Christian  Discijtline,  to  edify  the 
Congregation,  and  especially  the  youth  by  Catechetical  Instruc- 
tion, and  as  a  faithful  servant  of  Jesus  Christ  to  fulfil  the  whole 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  1 3 1 

work  of  the  Gospel  miiiistry  agreeable  to  the  word  of  God,  the 
excellent  rules  and  constitution  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church, 
established  in  the  last  National  Synod  held  at  Dordrcoht,  and 
ratified  and  exj)lained  by  the  judicature  under  which  we  stand 
and  to  which  you  upon  accepting  this  Call  must  Mith  us  remain 
subordinate. 

In  fulfilling  the  ordinary  duties  of  your  ministry  it  is  cxpi-essly 
stii)ulated  that  beside  preaching  from  such  texts  of  scrip- 
ture as  you  may  judge  proper  to  select  for  our  instruction, 
you  also  explain  a  portion  of  the  Heidelbergh  Catechism  on  the 
Lord's  days,  or  Lord's  days  evejiings,  either  in  the  Dutch  or 
English  language,  as  you  and  the  consistory  may  judge  most 
beneficial  for  the  Congregation,  agreeable  to  the  established 
order  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church,  and  that  you  further  con- 
form in  rendering  all  that  public  service  which  is  usual  and  has 
been  in  constant  practice  in  our  congregation.  The  particular 
sei'vice  which  will  be  required  of  you  is  that  you  shall  be  held  to 
preach  twice  on  every  Lord's  day  in  the  Dutch  and  English 
languages  as  aforesaid,  that  is  after  our  present  minister  shall 
have  preached  one  sermon  in  the  Dutch  language  at  least,  if  he 
is  able,  and  that  in  our  said  Church  in  this  city.  You  shall  also 
with  Dr.  Romeyn,  our  present  minister,  or  if  need  be  without 
him,  dispense  the  Lord's  Supper  four  times  the  year  at  our  said 
Church  in  this  City,  each  of  which  occasions  shall  be  ]>receded 
by  a  preparatory  discourse  suited  to  the  occasion,  done  in  either 
of  the  above  languages  as  the  consistory  with  you  shall  deter- 
mine. 

As  also,  you  shall  once  in  every  year  visit  the  families  belong- 
ing to  our  Congregation,  at  least  if  judged  practicable,  or  other- 
wise as  frequent,  and  such  parts  of  the  Congregation  as  the  Con- 
sistory shall  from  time  to  time  deem  necessary  ;  and  to  observe 
the  weekly  Catechises  of  the  children  and  adult  persons  as  fre- 
quent as  the  interest  of  Religion  shall  appear  to  require. 

And  finally  do  and  jjcrform,  as  God  shall  enable  you,  every 
duty,  matter  and  thing  which  you  and  our  Consistory  shall  from 
time  to  time  judge  necessary  for  the  advancement  of  the  pro.s 
perity  of  our  said  Congregation  and  the  promotion  of  saving 
knowledge  and  holiness  of  life  among  the  members  thereof. 

To  encourage  you  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  your  impor- 
tant ofiice,  We  jiromise  you  in  the  name  of  this  Church  all  jirop- 


132  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

er  attention,  love  and  obedience  in  the  Lord.  And  to  free  you 
from  discouraging  worldly  cares  and  avocations,  while  you  are 
dispensing  the  gospel  and  ordinances  to  us,  We  the  jVIinister, 
Elders,  and  Deacons  of  the  llefornied  Protestant  Dutch  Church 
of  the  city  of  Schenectady,  do  promise  and  oblige  ourselves  to 
pay  to  you  the  sum  of  six  hundred  and  sixty -two  dollars  and  fif- 
ty cents,  together  with  a  house,  and  lot  of  one  hundred  and  forty 
feet  in  depth  and  one  hundred  feet  in  width  all  Amsterdam  wood 
measure,  the  rent  of  which  is  estimated  at  the  low  rate  of  eighty- 
seven  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  aimum,  which  being  added  to 
the  foregoing  nuikes  the  whole  to  amount  to  the  annual  sum  of 
seven  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  or  three  hundred  pounds  New 
York  money — the  six  hundred  and  sixty-two  dollars  and  fifty 
cents  to  be  paid  yearly,  and  every  year  in  four  equal  and  quar- 
terly payments  as  long  as  you  continue  to  be  the  minister  of 
this  church :  the  first  i)ayment  to  be  made  three  months  after 
the  first  sermon  which  you  shall  deliver  in  our  said  Cluu-ch  in 
virtue  of  this  call ;  and  the  consistory  will  also  bear  the  expense 
of  your  removal  to  this  city,  and  on  your  arrival  will  provide 
you  with  a  good  dwelling  house  until  we  can  deliver  you  the 
house  above  i-eferred  to,  which  will  be  within  a  year  from  this 
date. 

For  the  performance  of  all  which  we  do  hereby  bind  ourselves 
and  our  successors  firmly  by  these  presents. 
Done  in  Consistory;  sealed  with  our  corporate  seal  and  signed 

by  us  respectively,  this day  of  October,  in  the  year 

1802. 
Done  and  executed  under  the  Presi- 1     Nicliolas  Vedder, 
dency   and  with    the  ap])rol)ation       Jesse  D.  DeCiraff, 
of  D.  Romeyn,  V.  D.  M.,  and  res-  >    Abr'm  Oothout, 
ident   minister   of   the  Gospel    at       Nicholas  S.  Vedder, 
Schenectady.  J     Jacob  Swits, 

Jelles  A.  Fonda, 
John  N.  Marselus, 
Jacob  Schermerhorn. 

The  above  call  having  been  laid  before  the  Classis  for  approba- 
tion, the  same  was  a])proved  of  as  in  order. 

J.  BASSET,  Pres't. 
JOHN  DEMAREST,  Sect'y. 
Done  in  Classis  of  Albany,  Dec.  17th,  1802. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  133 

lu  the  following  May  (1803)  lie  was  installed  by  the  Rev, 
John  Basset,  of  Albany,  and  Rev.  Jacobus  V.  C.  Ronieyii,  of 
Hackensac'k,  N.  J.     The  latter  pi-eached  the  sermon. 

Less  than  a  year  from  this  event  his  venerable  colleague  was 
removed  by  death  and  he  became  sole  pastor  of  the  church,  an 
office  which  was  again  vacated  two  vears  after  bv  a  like  sad 
event.  He  died  of  consumption  on  the  eleventh  day  of  Sep- 
tember, 1806,  in  the  32d  year  of  his  age  and  in  the  eighth  year 
of  his  ministry.  The  funeral  services  were  held  at  Schenectady,* 
but  he  was  buried  in  the  Dutch  Church  burying  ground  at 
Albany,  f 

Mr.  Meier  was  of  medium  height,  agreeable  manners  and 
deservedly  })opular  with  his  congregation  and  the  })eople  gen- 
erally. During  the  period  of  his  pastorate  subsequent  to  Dr. 
Roraeyn's  death,  he  married  118  couples,  baptised  283  children 
and  received  10  members  to  the  church. 

"As  a  man  Mr.  Meier  was  amiable,  possessing  a  i)eaceable 
disposition,  fond  of  social  intercourse  and  desirous  of  the  happi- 
ness of  others.  As  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  he  was  greatly 
esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him,  being  blessed  Avith  a  sound 
judgement  and  devoted  to  the  services  of  the  sanctuary. 

*  James  Lighthall,  sexton  of  the  church,  was  paid  on  this  occasion  two 
dollars  for  "  wringing  "  the  bell,  and  two  dollars  for  notifying  the  Great  Con- 
sistory ;  also  two  dollars  for  the  sextons  of  the  other  churches.  [Episcopal 
and  Presbyterian]. 

— Consistory  minutes. 

t  The  following  is  the  inscription  upon  his  grave  stone  : 

"  Under  this  stone  are  interred  the  mortal  remains  of 
John  Hardenberg  Meier, 
late  minister  of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  in  the  city  of  Schenectady.      He 
adorned  the  Doctrines  of  God  his   Saviour,    displaying   uniformly   his  attach- 
ment to  them  and  their  influence  over  him. 

As  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  he  was  greatly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him, 
being  blessed  with  a  sound  judgement,  devoted  to  the  service  of  the  sanctu- 
ary from  principle,  loving  the  Glorious  Redeemer,  desirous  of  winning  souls 
to  his  dominion. 

In  the  midst  of  his  days  he  was  called  hence  and  left  this  world  with  faith 
and  patience  for  the  blessed  appearance  of  the  Great  God  and  our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ. 

He  was  born  Oct.  19th,  1774,  and  died  Sept.  nth,  1806,  aged  31  years,  10 
months  and  23  days,  having  been  engaged  in  the  service  of  Jehovah  Jesus 
almost  eight  years,  of  which  he  spent  better  that  three  in  Schenectady. " 

—Annals  of  Alb.,  VI,  166. 


134  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

'•  His  talents  and  acquirements  were  of  the  useful  kind  and 
very  respectable.  l>eing  cautious  in  his  disposition  and  reserved 
in  his  manners  he  displayed  fewer  mental  resources  in  his  inter- 
course with  men  than  he  really  possessed.  The  native  benevo- 
lence of  his  heart  always  rendered  him  a  welcome  and  acceptable 
companion  to  his  acquaintances.  He  was  esteemed  as  a  preacher 
but  more  especially  as  a  member  of  the  several  church  judica- 
tures with  which  he  was  connected.  He  was  rising  in  re})Uta- 
tion  and  his  sphere  of  usefulness  was  enlarging  when  it  })leased 
a  holy  God  to  take  him  to  himself. 

"  His  education  having  been  strictly  religious,  he  had  from 
his  earliest  years  a  deep  reverence  for  divine  things.  His  live- 
liest impressions  of  religion  were  when  he  was  at  the  Academy 
at  Platbush  about  the  year  1793. 

'•  Before  he  finally  left  his  home,  which  was  in  the  beginning 
of  xVugust,  he  did  not  calculate  on  a  recover}-.  He  had  accord- 
ingly arranged  his  temporal  concerns.  He  spoke  of  his  death 
and  gave  directions  about  his  funeral  with  the  utmost  compos- 
ure. His  covenant  Father  gave  him  desirable  support  and  com- 
fort.    He  died  without  a  struggle  or  a  groan."  * 

1808-12.     Rev.  Cornelius  Bogardun  thi  Tenth  Minister. 

For  two  years  after  the  death  of  Do.  Meier  the  pulpit  was 
supplied  temporarily  by  ministers  from  the  neighboring 
churches. 

From  the  many  candidates  recommended  as  his  successor  the 
choice  fell  upon  Rev.  John  Brodhead  Romeyn,  son  of  the  their 
late  pastor.  His  call  was  dated  July  8th,  1807.  The  salary 
named  was  $1,000,  with  house  and  firewood,  and  he  was  re- 
(juired  to  j)reach  twice  each  Sabbath,  in  Dutch  and  English,  as 
he  and  the  consistory  might  think  }>roper.  For  some  reason 
this  call  was  not  accepted,  and  after  further  deliberation  for  a 
year  Mr.  Cornelius  Bogardus  became  the  successful  candidate. 

He  was  born  Sept.  2Gth,  1780,  studied  theology,  under  Living- 
ston, was  licensed  by  the  Chassis  of  New  York  in  1808,  and  was 
ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  this  church  on  the  27th  Novem- 
ber, 1808,  being  then  in  his  29th  year.  The  sermon  on  this 
occasion  was  preached  by  Rev.  John  Basset,  of  Albany. 

*  Albany  Gazette,   15th  Sept.  1806. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  13.-> 

During  his  short  pastorate  of  four  years  the  church  was 
greatly  increased  in  numbei-s — 157  members  having  been  admit- 
ted in  that  time.  He  married  117  couples  and  baptised  444 
children.  He  died  of  consumption  on  the  loth  of  December, 
1812,  aged  32  years. 

Mr.  Bogardus  was  in  stature  above  the  medium  height  and  of 
commanding  presence.  As  a  preacher  he  had  more  than  ordi- 
nary power  and  was  considered  arising  man,  bidding  fair  to  take 
a  prominent  position  in  his  profession.  * 

1815-1849.     Rev.  Jacob  Van  Vechten,  B.  D.,  the  Eleventh  Min- 
ister. 

The  longest  pastorate  of  this  church  was  that  of  the  Rev. 
Jacob  Yan  Yechten,  its  eleventh  minister.  He  was  born  at 
Catskil  and  baptised  September  7th,  1788,  the  fourth  of  nine 
sons,  children  of  Samuel  Yan  Yechten  and  Sara  Yan  Orden. 

The  first  settler  of  the  name — Teunis  Dirkse  Yan  Yechten, 
alias  Poentie,  came  over  to  New  Netherlands  in  1638,  in  the 
Arms  of  Norway,  with  his  wife,  child  and  two  servants,  and  in 
1648  occupied  a  farm  in  Greenbush.  He  is  referred  to  in  1663 
as  an  old  inhabitant  hei-e.  In  1700  he  had  at  least  three  sons 
living — Dirk,  the  eldest,  Cornelius  and  Gerrit,  besides  a  daughter, 
Pietertje,  wife  of  Myndert  Frederickse,  of  Albany. 

Dirk  Teunis  Yan  Yechten,  son  of  Teunis  Dirkse,  settled  in 
and  bought  land  at  Catskil,  made  his  will  April  4th,  1687, 
proved  March  30th,  1703,  and  died  November  25th,  1702.  He 
married  Jannetje  Michielse,  [Caljer?]  and  mentioned  the  follow- 
ing children  in  his  will:  Jannetie,  born  1660;  Wyntje,  born 
1662;  Michiel,  born  1664  ;  Neeltja,  1665  ;  Johannes,  born  1667  ; 
Teunis,  born  1669;  Annatie,  born  1671;  Fytje,  born  1672; 
Samuel,  born  1673  ;  Sara,  born  1675,  and  Abraham,  born  1679. 

Johannes  Dirkse  Yan  Yechten,  of  Catskil,  married  Elizabeth 
,  and  had  at  least  two  sons,  Teunis  and  Dirk,  and  per- 
haps others. 

*  The  first  application  made  for  the  use  of  the  church  for  a  4th  of  July  cele- 
bration was  made  June  24th,  181 1,  when  the  consistory  granted  the  request, 
"  provided  no  instrumental  music  shall  be  used  and  nothing  be  said  in  the 
oration  to  wound  the  feelings  of  any  political  party." 

— Consistory  Minutes. 


136  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

Teunis  Van  Vechten,  of  Catskil,  married  JudikjcTen  Broeck. 

Anionic  others  he  had  a  son,  Samuel,  wlio  was  baptised  in 
Catskil,  October,  1742,  and  became  the  father  of  the  Rev. 
Jacob  Van  Vecliten,  as  before  stated. 

Doctor  Van  Vechten's  early  education  was  pursued  first  at 
Catskil  and  afterwards  at  tlie  Kingston  Academy.  The  teacher 
who  fitted  him  for  College  was  the  Rev.  Alexander  Miller,  who 
had  been  ]»astor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Schenectady 
prior  to  1790.  He  entered  the  Freshman  Class  of  Union  College 
in  1805,  with  his  class  and  room-mate,  Gideon  Hawley,  of  Al- 
bany, and  graduated  A.  B.  in  1809.  Soon  after  leaving  College 
he  entered  the  law  oflice  of  his  uncle,  Abraham  Van  Vechten,  of 
Albany,  as  a  law  student,  Avith  the  intention  of  making  the  law^ 
his  ])rofession. 

"In  October,  1809,  he  united  with  the  Reformed  Protestant 
Dutch  Church  in  Catskil,  and  abandoning  his  first  choice  of  a 
})rofession  turned  his  attention  to  the  Gosi»el  ministry,  for  winch 
he  prepared  himself  by  a  course  of  study  in  the  Theological 
Seminary  of  the  Scotch  Church,  under  the  care  of  the  Rev. 
Doctor  John  M.  Mason,"  of  New  York,  in  1813,  and  in  the 
New  Brunswick  Theological  Seminary  in  1814,  when  he  was 
licensed  to  preach  by  the  Classis  of  New  ]^runswick.  As  early 
as  August  1st,  1814,  the  consistory  of  this  church  resolved  to 
call  Mr.  Van  Vechten  as  their  minister,  but  it  was  not  until 
June  8th,  1815,  that  he  was  ordained  and  installed  i)astor.  On 
this  occasion  the  Dr.  John  ^l.  Bradford,  of  Albany,  preached 
the  sermon. 

The  year  following  he  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  his 
venerated  preceptor.  Dr.  Mason  ;  she  died  in  1820,  andtwoyeai-s 
later  he  married  Maria,  daughter  of  Abraham  Van  Dyck,  of 
Coxsackie.  "  Of  nine  children  from  these  two  marriages  he  lost 
six  in  their  youth  or  prime." 

"  His  health  was  delicate  in  early  manhood  from  pulmonary 
tendencies  and  rheumatic  affection  for  which  ho  wxnit  to  Europe 
in  1823.  He  returned  after  a  year's  absence  imi)roved  in  health, 
but  made  permanently  lame  at  Paris  from  a  surgical  accident  in 
operating  upon  his  rheumatic  knee."     He  received  the  degree  of 

Doctor  of  Divinity  from  Williams  College  in .  At  the  time 

of  his  death  he  was  Senior  Trustee  of  Union  College,  to  which 
office  he  was  elected  in  1837. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  137 

He  resigned  and  was  dismissed  from  tlie  i)astorate  of  this 
church  on  the  6tli  of  ]Marcli,  1849,  after  a  service  of  more  than 
34  years,  during  wliicli  time  910  members  were  received  into 
the  Church. 

'*  On  retiring  from  his  charge  he  did  not  seek  another  but 
preached  as  op})ortunity  offered  ;  and  employed  his  leisure  in 
literary  labors,  among  which  was  a  Biography  of  his  late  father- 
in-law.  Dr.  John  M.  Mason. 

In  1851  he  removed  to  Albany,  and  from  thence,  in  18G8,  to 
Auburn,  where  he  resided  in  the  family  of  his  son-in-law,  Pro- 
fessor Huntington,  until  his  death,  Avhich  occurred  on  the  loth 
of  September,  1871. 

The  following  letter  was  received  from  Doctor  Van  Vechten 
iu  answer  to  a  request  for  some  facts  in  the  history  of  the  church 
during  his  pastorate. 

Auburn,  Oct.  21st,  1869. 
Dear  Friend  :  — 

Your  project  of  historising  (a  new  word) 
the  good  old  Dutch  town  of  Schenectady  with  its  institutions 
*     *     I  hope  will  not  be  relinquished. 

Dr.  Romeyn  was  the  last  pastor  of  the  Dutch  Church  who 
preached  statedly  in  our  native  language.  I  never  saw  him. 
Meier  M^as  minister  when  I  entered  College  [1805]  ;  often  heard 
him  preach  in  English,  very  seldom,  if  at  all,  in  Dutch. 

Mr.  Bogardus,  my  predecessor,  was  a  worthy  man — gave 
us  good  plain  sermons,  altogether  in  English — gathered  in  a 
large  number  of  communicants  ;  aimed,  though  rather  feebly,  to 
raise  the  standard  of  spiritual  as  opposed  to  formal  religion.  In 
less  than  four  years  his  health  gave  away  and  shortly  afterwards 
he  died. 

An  interregnum  of  about  two  years  intervened  before  my 
settlement.  The  history  of  my  labors  can  not  easily  be  given 
by  me.  From  the  very  beginning  I  encountered  great  difh- 
culties  from  the  innovations,  -or  as  I  prefer  to  call  them,  refor 
mations,  which  I  endeavored  to  introduce.  The  peo})le  had  been 
accustomed  to  the  baptism  of  all  children  who  might  be  pre- 
sented. I  thousfht  the  Bible  limited  it  to  Christian  children. 
Members  had  been  received  at  a  certain  age,  or  at  least  on  recit 
ing  the  catechism.  I  thought  more  experimental  qualifications 
necessary.  An  honest  account  of  such  matters  would  still  be 
attended  wdth  delicacy  and  perhaps  bad  feeling. 

18 


138  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

I  can  inform  you  fiirtlier  in  this  direction  when  we  meet ;  till 
then  I  will  leave  your  request.  At  present  I  liave  no  leisure  to 
proceed  further. 

I  have  reminiscences  which  are  interesting  to  myself,  but  can- 
not say  that  they  would  be  so  to  others. 
With  high  respect  and  esteem, 

Your  sincere  friend, 

Jacou  Van  Vechten. 

1849-1852.     Bev.      William  J.  JR.   Taylor,   B.  D ,    the    Twelfth 

Minister. 

He  is  the  son  of  Rev.  Benjamin  C.  Taylor,  D.  D.,  of  Bergen, 
N.  J.,  and  Anna  Romeyn  his  wife,  and  was  born  in  Schodac, 
Rensselaer  co.,  N.  Y.,  July  31st,  1823. 

He  graduated  at  Rutger's  College  in   July,    1841,  and   the 
Theological  Seminary  of  the  Reformed  (Dutch)  church  at  New 
Brunswick,  N,  J.,  July,  1844,  and  was  ordained  to  the  gospel 
ministry  at  Hackensack,  N.  J.,  in  August,  1844.  The  following 
have  been  his  pastoral  charges — all  in  the  Reformed  (Dutch) 
Church  :  — 

New  Durham,  Hudson  CO.,  N.J. ,  -         -         -         .     1844-1 84G. 
Van  Vorst.  (Jersey  City),  N.  J.,         -         -         -         1846-1849. 
Schenectady,  N.  Y.,      -         -         -         -         -         -     1849-1852. 

Jersey  City,  (3d)        ------         1852-1854. 

Philadelphia,  (3d)  ------     1854-1862. 

Corresponding   Secretary   of   the   American    Bible 

Society  at  New  York  city,     -        -        -        -     1862-1869. 

Newark,  N.  J.,  -------         1869 

Dr.  Taylor  was  installed  pastor  of  this  Church  Nov.  18th, 
1849.  During  the  winter  and  spring  of  1852  the  church  "en- 
joyed a  gracious  revival  of  religion." 

Through  over  exertion  at  this  time,  a  long  and  dangerous 
illness  was  brought  upon  him,  from  which  he  barely  recovered 
with  his  life.  It  was  during  his  ministry  and  chiefly  through 
his  exertions  that  the  Second  Reformed  Church  of  Schenectady 
was  formed. 

Doctor  Taylor  has  published  several  Thanksgiving  Sermons, 
public  addresses,  etc.,  besides  discourses  in  memory  of  Rev. 
Henry  G.  Livingston,  pastor  of  the  Third  Reformed  Church  of 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  139 

Pliiladelphia,  Rev.  Dr.  John  Ludlow,  Provost  of  the  University 
of  Pennsylvania  and  Professor  of  the  Tlieological  Seminary  at 
New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  l^ev.  George  W.  Betluuie,  D.I).,  Rev. 
Samuel  A.  Van  Vranken,  D.D.,  Professor  of  Didactic  Tlieology 
in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  and  the 
Hon.  Tlieodore  Frelinghuysen,  *  &c.,  <fec. 

1853-1858,     Rev.  Julius  11.  Seelye  D.  D.,  the   TJ.irteenth  Min- 
ister. 

He  was  born  in  Bethel,  Conn.,  September  14th,  1824.  At  the  age 
of  15  years  he  entered  his  father's  store,  remaining  there  until 
he  was  twenty-one.  He  entered  the  Freshman  Class  of  Amherst 
College  at  the  beginning  of  the  second  term,  January,  1846,  and 
graduated  in  1849. 

The  same  year  he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  at 
Auburn,  N.  Y.,  and  at  the  end  of  his  three  years  course,  in  1852, 
visited  Europe  remaining  nearly  a  year,  the  greater  portion  of 
which  was  spent  at  Halle. 

On  his  return,  in  1853,  his  first  sermon  was  preached  at  Sche- 
nectady, May  22nd  ;  on  May  31st,  he  received  a  unanimous  call 
as  pastor  of  this  church  ;  June  14th,  accepted  the  call,  and 
August  10th,  was  ordained  and  installed  by  the  Classis  of  Sche- 
nectady ;  Dr.  Hickok,  Vice-President  of  Union  College,  preach- 
ing the  sermon  on  this  occasion.  On  the  23rd  of  October,  1858, 
he  married  Elizabeth  James,  daughter  of  Rev.  William  James, 
D.D.,  of  Albany. 

Having  resigned  the  pastorate  of  this  Church  to  accept  the 
professorship  of  Mental  and  Moral  Philosophy  in  Amherst  Col- 
lege, he  was  dismissed  by  the  Classis  August  30th,  to  take  effect 
September  14th,  1858,  his  34th  birth  day,  and  the  completion  of 
live  and  a  quarter  years  of  his  ministry. 

During  his  pastorate  he  attended  136  funerals,  solemnized  80 
marriages,  baptised  30  infants  and  1 1  adults,  and  received  as 
members  of  the  church  on  profession  of  their  faith  110  and  by 
letter  31.     No  communion  service   passed  during  his  ministry 

*  For  a  complete  list  of  the  writings  of  Dr.  Taylor  and  additional  facts  con- 
cerning the  living  and  deceased  ministers  of  the  Reformed  Church,  see  Dr. 
E.  T.  Corwin's  Manual  of  the  Reformed  Church  in  America,  3rd  edition. 
[W.  E.  G.] 


140  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

without  tlie  ix'ception  of  some  members  to  the  church  on  a  |»ro- 
fession  of  faith. 

The  contributions  of  the  cliurch  for  benevolent  purposes  were 
as  follows  : 

1854 $415. 

1855, - 453. 

1856, 545. 

1857, 808. 

1858, 939.54. 

Professor  Seelye's  mercantile  experience  was  a  good  i)repara- 
tory  discipline  and  the  business  habits  tluis  acquired  were  of 
great  benefit  in  his  subsequent  career.  Having  decided  to  ac- 
quire a  liberal  education  late,  his  j)reparatory  course  for  College 
was  short ;  nevertheless  during  tlie  latter  j)art  of  his  College 
course  he  stood  among  the  best  of  his  class  in  scholarship.  His 
Theological  course  was  distinguished  for  depth,  soundness, 
thoroughness  of  investigation  and  controlling  influence  among 
the  students  and  in  tlio  surrounding  religious  community. 

While  abroad,  he  }»rofitted  largely  in  acquaintance  with  lead- 
ing men,  and  attendance  upon  University  lectures,  and  added 
greatly  to  his  philosophical  and  theological  knowledge.  His 
pastorate  with  this  church,  though  his  first,  was  eminently  suc- 
cessful, not  only  in  gaining  for  him  the  hearts  of  his  people  by 
his  kind  and  genial  manners,  but  also  in  commanding  the  respect 
of  the  best  minds  of  the  community  by  his  sound  and  edifying 
discourses. 

In  1875-6  Prof.  Seelye  represented  his  district  in  Congress, 
and  in  1877  was  elected  President  of  Amherst  College. 

1858-1864.     Rev.  Edward  E.   Seelye,  D.D.,  the  Fourteenth  Min 

isier. 

The  Rev.  Edward  E.  Seelye,  the  fourteenth  minister  of  the 
Church  was  born  in  Lansingburgh,  September  24th,  1819.  He 
entered  the  Sophomore  Class  of  Union  College  September  9th, 
1836,  and  graduated  A.  B.  in  July,  1839. 

Dui-in":  his  connection  with  the  College  he  became  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  1840  entered  Princeton 
Seminary,  from  whence  he  graduated  in  1843. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCTT.  Ul 

"  At  the  completion  of  his  course  of  study  he  became  pastor 
of  tlie  Presbyterian  Churcli  at  Stillwater,  Avliere  he  labored  with 
fidelity  and  success  for  seven  years,  until  I80O.  He  was  then 
called  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Sandy  Hill.  During  the 
later  years  of  Dr.  Seelye's  ministry  at  Sandy  Hill  he  preached 
statedly  at  Fort  Edward,  and  there  founded  a  l*resl)yterian 
Church,  which  has  grown  into  a  lai'ge  and  prosperous  congrega- 
tion. 

Dr.  Seelye  was  tAvice  called  by  the  Reformed  Church  of  Sche- 
nectady— once  previously  to  the  settlement  of  Professor  Julius 
H.  Seelye  and  again  after  he  left.  The  first  call  Avas  declined 
under  the  advice  of  the  Presbytery  in  view^  of  the  wants  of  the 
Church  he  w^as  then  serving.  But  when  a  second  time  this 
Church  pressed  him  to  become  their  pastor,  he  accepted  their 
invitation. 

In  1858  he  removed  to  Schenectady,  and  on  November  1st 
was  installed  pastor.  In  this,  his  last  charge,  he  was  called  to 
meet  some  peculiar  difficuties.  In  1861  the  church  edifice  was 
destroyed  by  fire,  and  for  the  two  years  following  that  event  the 
Church  had  no  more  convenient  place  of  worship  than  the  lec- 
ture room  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  kindly  furnished  for  that 
purpose,  the  edifice  of  the  second  church  not  being  then  in 
possession  of  that  people.  In  addition  to  the  disadvantages  of 
such  contracted  accommodations,  all  the  labor  and  anxiety  of 
adojjting  plans  and  carrying  forward  the  great  enterprise  of 
erecting  a  new,  large  and  costly  church  building,  involving  in 
its  progress  the  obliteration  of  private  claims  on  pews,  and  more 
important  still,  the  absorption  of  a  valuable  church  })roperty, 
was  thrown  upon  the  Consistory  and  necessarily  to  some  extent 
upon  the  pastor.  Yet  Dr.  Seelye  lived  to  see  that  two  years' 
work,  so  delicate  and  momentous  in  character,  fully  and  peace- 
fully accomplished,  and  had  the  satisfaction  and  honor,  on  the 
6th  of  August,  1863,  of  preaching  the  dedication  sermon." 

"  Physically,  he  w^as  robust,  a  little  above  the  medium  heiglit, 
with  a  compact,  well-knit  frame."  His  last  was  the  only  sick- 
ness of  his  life. 

In  August,  1864,  he  left  home  "  for  his  annual  vacation  for  a 
few  weeks  in  the  fresh  air  and  the  free  woods  which  he  loved  so 
well,"  and  was  suddenly  taken  ill  at  Sandy  Hill,  the  i)lace  of  his 
former  charge,  where  he  died  August  10th,  1864:. 


142  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

[The  facts  for  tlio  following  pketclios  of  the  lives  of  the  three 
pastors  of  the  church  who  succeeded  the  Itev.  P].  E.  Seelye,  are 
taken  mainly  from  Dr.  E.  T.  Corwin's  "Manual  of  the  Reformefl 
Church  in  America,"  a  book  which  is  invaluable  for  officers  and 
members  of  the  Reformed  Church. 

The  Rev.  Dennis  Wortnian,  D.D..  was  gra(hiated  from  Am- 
herst College  in  18o7,  and  from  the  New  Brunswick  Theological 
Seminary  in  1860,  and  was  settled  over  the  church  at  South 
Bushwick,  L.  I.,  for  three  years.  Accepting  a  call  from  the 
Third  Reformed  Church  in  Philadelphia,  he  succeeded  Dr. 
"SV.  J.  li.  Taylor,  and  labored  two  years,  when  he  was  called  to 
Schenectady.  Here,  in  the  midst  of  his  duties  most  faithfully 
performed,  his  health  failed ;  nor  did  a  trip  to  Europe  (during 
which  he  attended  the  sessions  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance  at 
Amsterdam,  Holland,)  restore  him  fully  to  health,  as  he  had 
hoped.  He  resigned  his  charge  in  1870,  greatly  to  the  regret 
of  the  people,  by  whom  he  was  greatly  loved.  Since  1 870,  he 
supplied  vacant  churches;  but  in  1880,  feeling  his  health  suffi- 
ciently established,  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  Ifeformed  Church 
at  Fort  Plain,  N.  Y.  Of  Dr.  Wortman's  labors  in  Schenectady, 
and  of  church  life  during  this  period,  one  may  fonri  an  impres- 
sion by  his  own  modest  words  of  reminiscence  in  his  address  on 
Monday  evening,  June  21st,  1880. 

"  With  grateful  hearts,  dear  friends,  we  scan  the  six  years  we 
spent  together  here.  Much  there  was  in  it  very  delightful — 
while  there  was  that  of  sorrow  in  it  to  give  a  proper  chastening 
to  our  souls.  Truly  I  was  with  you  in  Aveakness  and  in  pain  and 
in  much  trouble,  and  my  speech  and  my  preaching  was  not  with 
enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom,  but  it  was  in  demonstration  of 
the  Spirit  and  of  power.  And  to-night  I  testify  alike  to  your 
helpful  affection,  and  to  the  strengthening  grace  of  God.  Y^'es, 
we  did  have  some  good  times  together  here,  in  that  consistory 
room,  helping  one  another  in  our  prayers  to  God,  in  this  sanctu- 
aiy  studying  the  word  of  God,  and  welcoming  from  the  world 
the  new  found  friends  of  Christ.  One  especially  precious 
season  we  enjoyed  when  27  united  at  the  same  time  in  their 
avowal  of  the  love  of  Christ.  Immediately  after  my  leaving 
you,  also,  and  before  a  successor  had  been  called,  there  was  a 
powerful,  though  very  quiet  work  of  grace,  and  a  larger  number 
even  than  that  was  gathered  in,  of  whom  I  affectionately  think 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  1 43 

as  somehow — if  God  so  will — ray  own  children  in  the  Lord.  In- 
deed there  vvas  during  the  whole  period  of  our  union  not  so  much 
a  revival,  but  a  constant  living  interest  in  S2>iritual  things.  Yet 
while  it  is  given  us  to  praise  God  for  his  mercy  in  accepting  and 
blessing  our  poor  labors,  we  must  be  very  careful  to  attribute 
to  him  not  part  but  all,  all,  the  praise  and  all,  all,  the 
love !  Very  pleasant  times  we  had  together.  You  began  right — 
paying  off  in  close  connection  with  your  call  to  me  a  debt  of 
$11,000.  *  Then  let  me  see,  the  time  is  short,  I  can  but  hasten 
on  the  memorandum  of  those  years.  The  gi-eat  civil  Avar  well 
nigh  at  its  ending.  Before  my  installation  in  May,  Lee  had  sur- 
rendered, and  the  fanaticism  of  Booth  had  illustrated  the  mad- 
ness of  the  enemies  of  freedom,  and  immortalized  Abraham 
Lincoln  as  the  martyr  President.  It  was  for  us  then  to  gather 
up  the  lessons  of  the  fearful  strife,  to  calm  the  turbulence  of 
passions,  to  reconstruct  a  christian  loyalty,  to  guard  against  the 
terrible  reaction  after  the  war,  to  welcome  back  to  peaceful  in- 
dustries our  gallant  soldier  host — and  turn  the  thoughts  of  men 
again  to  the  labors  of  peace,  and  the  virtues  of  love.  I  must 
not  forget  to  thank  you  that  in  a  season  of  weakness  you  i)er- 
mitted  me,  without  expense,  to  make  that  long  tour  in  Europe  ; 
during  which,  besides  seeing  so  much  of  the  old  world,  I  had  so 
glorious  a  foot  tour  through  the  Eastern  Aljts  Avith  Dr.  Hurst, 
one  of  the  new  and  most  honored  bishops  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
and  to  attend  and  participate  in  the  meetings  of  the  first  Evan- 
gelical Alliance  in  Holland,  in  1867.  During  that  absence  you 
provided  yourself  with  the  spiritual  and  poetic  strojig  preaching 
of  one  who  since  then  as  the  author  of  "All  About  Jesus," 
has  gained  an  American  and  an  English  reputation. "f 
During  that  absence  of  your  pastor,  also,  you  signalized  your  in- 
terest in  the  church  and  your  desire  to  fence  off  offending  in- 
truders on  sacred  ground  by  putting  around  this  fine  lawn  of 
yours  the  beautiful  iron  fence,  which  well  befits  the  beauty  of  this 
noble  structure.  I  call  up  the  names  of  men  and  women  Avith 
us  then  who  have  since  entered  to  their  rest.  I  cannot  name  all, 
only  a  fcAv.  Elder  Nicholas  Van  Vranken,  for  30  years  the 
honored  treasui-er  of  this  church,  has  gone  to  his  rest.     There 

"Subscribed,  but  paid  only  to  the  extent  of  $8,500.     [W.  E.  G.] 
t  Rev.  Alexander  Dixon. 


1 44  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

was  Groot,  there  was  Clute,  there  was  Angle,  there  was  Dr. 
Fonda,  there  wvvv  tlie  Veecler's  and  Swits's,  and  Yates's  and 
others,  there  was  one  dear  brother  Cain,  (to  wlioni,  jtriniarily, 
with  the  warm  co-o})eration  of  the  bretlu'en  in  tliis  and 
other  elmrches,  we  owe  tlie  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Hall),  McNee,  the  always 
faithful.  Judge  Mitchell,  there  was  the  beloved  physician,  whom 
the  whole  city  honored.  Dr.  A.  M.  Vedder.  There  were  honor- 
able women,  not  a  few  who  have  entered  their  rest,  well  repre- 
sented and  led  by  Mrs.  Dr.  Vedder,  Mrs.  Myers,  Miss  P'uller, 
who  with  others  were  indeed  faithful  ministers  to  your  pastors. 
Then  the  massive  head,  with  the  long  grey  locks  hanging  ven- 
erably down,  sitting  yonder  near  the  Banker  Screen,  deafening 
gradually  to  the  voice  of  the  human  preacher,  all  the  more  intent 
on  listening  to  Him  that  speaketh  from  above  ;  the  gentle  and 
strong,  the  humble,  the  scholarly  and  wise  teacher,  writer,  lover 
of  Christ.  There  should  be  somewhere  in  this  building  a  me- 
morial of  some  kind  erected  by  us  who  loved  him  so,  to  the 
memory  of  Tayler  Lewis  !  Will  not  some  one  see  that  they 
who  would  so  love  to  do,  may  be  led  into  the  privilege  ?" 

The  Reverend  Ashbel  G.  Vermilye,  the  sixteenth  pastor  of 
the  church,  is  the  son  of  the  Rev.  T.  E.  Vermilye,  the  senior  of 
the  College  of  Pastors  of  the  collegiate  church  in  New  York 
city.  He  was  born  at  Princeton,  N.  J.,  in  1822,  and  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  New  York  University  in  1840.  His  pastoral 
charges  from  1845  to  1871  were  at  Little  Falls,  N.  Y.,  Newbury- 
poit,  Mass.,  and  Utica,  N.  Y.  He  preached  his  first  sermon  in 
the  church  August  6th,  1871,  the  anniversary  of  the  burning  of 
the  old  and  the  dedication  of  the  new  (fifth)  edifice.  Dr.  Ver- 
milye contributed  a  masterly  sermon  on  "  The  Hugenot  Element 
Among  the  Dutch,"  for  the  Volume  of  Centennial  Discourses 
j)ublished  in  1876  :  a  work  which  well  illustrates  the  genius  and 
characteristics  of  the  Reformed  Chui-ch  in  Amei'ica.  He  was 
also  one  of  the  three  editors  of  the  "  Hymns  of  the  Church."  Dr. 
Verrailye's  labors  ceased  by  resignation  in  December,  1876.  He 
accepted  the  charge  of  the  Marine  Chapel  for  one  year  at  Ant- 
werp, Belgium,  in  1878,  and  after  doing  a  good  work  there 
among  the  American  sailors  and  i-esidents,  began  the  execution 
of  a  long  cherished  jjlan  to  travel  in  Europe  and  the  East.  See 
his  letter  on  i)age  24. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  l  lo 

The  present  pastor  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  on  the  17th 
day  of  Sejtteuiber,  1843,  and  entered  Rutgers  College  in  1865. 
After  graduation,  in  1869,  he  traveled  in  Euroi)e  for  a  few 
months,  entered  the  New  Brunswick  Theological  Seminary  for 
a  year,  an<l  in  December,  1870,  went  to  Japan  to  engage  in  the 
Government  Educational  service.  After  spending  one  year  in 
Fukui,  province  of  Echizen,  he  was  called  to  the  capital,  Tokio, 
where,  as  Professor  in  the  Imperial  University,  he  remained  un- 
til July,  1874.  He  studied  two  years  in  the  Union  Theological 
Seminary  of  New  York — 1875-1877.  While  in  the  Senior  Class 
he  was  invited  to  preach  in  the  churcli  at  Schenectady,  on  Sab- 
bath, April  22nd,  1877.  He  received  a  unanimous  call  to  be 
pastor  May  1st,  1877.  He  acce])ted  and  was  ordained  and  in- 
stalled May  31st.  A  large  number  of  ministers  assisted  in  the 
ordination,  among  them  the  venerable  Abram  J.  Swits. 

The  chief  events  in  the  church  during  the  last  three  yeai-s 
have  been  the  increase  and  imj^rovement  of  the  Sunday  School 
Library  ;  the  publication  of  a  Manual  and  Directory  of  the 
Church  :  considerable  reform  in  the  matter  of  Sunday  funerals  ; 
payment  of  a  large  portion  of  the  debt  which  has  existed  since 
the  erection  of  the  present  edifice  ;  the  completion  of  the  woi-k 
of  removing  the  remain's  from  the  old  neglected  bui-ial  ground 
on  Green  street,  which  had  been  partially  carried  on  for  ovei- 
twelve  years,  to  Vale  Cemetery  ;  putting  in  complete  i-epaii-, 
both  outside  and  inside,  the  church  edifice  at  a  cost  of  $700  ; 
the  addition  of  several  decorative  and  memorial  features  of  per- 
manent interest,  such  as  inscriptions  and  tablets  ;  laying  the  cor- 
ner-stone of  Prospect  Hill  Mission  School  building;  the  cele- 
bration, in  befittingstyle,ofthe  bi-centennial  anniversary,and  tlic 
j)ublication  of  the  History  of  the  Church.] 

The  editor  may  be  permitted  to  add  that  other  enterprises 
which  await  the  future  for  their  execution  are  the  erection  of  a 
Sabbath  School  room,  either  in  a  sci)arate  building,  or  Ijetter, 
attached  to  the  church  edifice  ;  the  erection  of  a  baptismal  font : 
a  new  carpet  and  improved  ventilation ;  the  chanticleer  of  Saint 
Nicholas  on  the  spire,  as  the  weather-vane ;  a  large  fire-]»roof 
safe  or  vault  for  the  safe-keeping  of  the  archives  ;  a  building 
for  the  Water  street  Mission  School ;  and,  when  the  next  j)astor 
'^omes,  a  parsonage,  according  to  the  old  custom  of  the  church. 

19 


146  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

All  these,  or  tlie  best  of  them,  under  God's  providence,  the 
people  willing,  will  doubtless  come  in  due  time. 

It  behooves  the  citizens  of  Schenectady,  without  distinction  of 
creed  or  descent,  to  erect  at  the  end  of  Church  street,  on  State — ■ 
the  old  "  Street  of  the  Martyrs  " — a  monument  in  lienor  of  Van 
Curler  and  the  founders  of  the  city ;  in  memory  of  the  tirst  two 
generations  of  the  first  settlers,  including  the  victims  of  the 
massacre  in  1600;  and  in  witness  to  the  site  of  the  first  two 
church  edifices  of  the  oldest  institution  still  in  existence  in  Sche- 
nectadv.     Shall  this  monument  be  erected? 


CHAPTER  XL 

THE  ciirRcn  of  1814 — or(;an  and  ciiaxdkmer. 

As  eai-ly  as  the  year  1805  the  congregation  began  to  agitate 
the  question  of  repairing  the  old  church,  and  on  the  23d  of 
March,  1810,  the  consistory  appointed  a  committee  to  draw  a 
plan  and  report  u])0n  the  feasibility  of  building  a  new  one.  On 
the  11th  of  June,  finding  this  project  im^jracticable,  another 
committee  was  appointed  to  estimate  the  expense  of  repairing 
the  old  house.  This  effort  also  failed,  and  an  attempt  was  again 
made  on  the  10th  of  August  to  build  a  new  church  by  authoriz- 
ing the  circulation  of  subscription  papers.  In  this  mannei"  the 
consistory  hesitated  for  more  than  two  years,  sometimes  inclining 
to  one  scheme,  then  to  the  other.  Finally  on  the  4th  of  April, 
1812,  the  Great  Consistory  being  called  together,  decided  that 
"  if  good  subscri})tions  to  the  amount  of  $4,000  shall  be  obtained 
within  6  weeks  a  new  church  should  be  built,  otherwise  to  repair 
the  old  one."  The  result  of  this  advice  was  a  subscription  of 
$3,379.50  in  money  and  248  days  work. 

To  jirovide  further  means  for  the  building,  the  consistory 
resolved,  on  the  30th  of  October,  1 812,  to  sell  to  the  city  their  two 
church  sites  (the  one  at  the  junction  of  Clnu'ch  and  State  streets, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  147 

tlie  other  at  the  junction  of  Churcli  and  Union  streets,)  for  200 
acres  of  hind  worth  at  leiust  ten  dolhirs  an  acre,  provided  these 
two  lots  shall  never  be  used  for  private  purposes,  but  be  left 
open  in  the  streets  for  public  convenience. 

On  the  3i-d  day  of  December,  1812,  contracts  were  signed  for 
the  construction  of  the  new  house — for  mason  work  and  materials 
with  David  Heai-sey  and  Thomas  McCully,  to  be  commenced  as 
early  as  May  1st,  1813,  and  finished  by  September  1st,  but  by 
consent  subsequently  extended  to  December  1st — and  for  car- 
penter's work,  2>;iii>ting,  gla/ing  and  materials  with  Gerrit  Ben- 
sen  and  Joseph  Horsfall,  to  be  completed  on  or  before  October 
loth,  1814,  and  extended  afterwards  to  April  15th,  1815. 

The  masons  received  $4,570  and  the  carpenters  $5,800  for 
their  resjjective  contracts. 

The  dimensions  of  this  building  were  57  feet  by  96  feet,  ex- 
clusive of  the  tower  projections,  with  walls  of  brick  28  feet  high 
above  the  foundations.  * 

It  was  situated  on  the  church  site  on  the  East  corner  of  Union 
and  Church  streets,  which  up  to  this  time  had  been  used  for  the 
parsonage.  It  was  a  neat,  plain,  well-proportioned  building  with 
a  tower  and  cupola  on  the  South  front.  The  bell  of  the  old 
church  was  hung  in  the  belfry.  Besides  the  middle  entrance 
through  the  tower  there  were  two  side  doors,  all  in  front,  and 
corresponding  to  the  three  aisles. 

In  the  arrangement  of  seats  the  separation  of  the  sexes  was  no 
longer  kept  up,  but  the  English  plan  was  adopted  of  sittings  in 
families.  The  pulpit  was  built  against  the  North  wall  oj)posite 
the  main  entrance.  There  were  24  family  pews  along  the  walls 
and  72  slips  or  benches  on  both  sides  of  the  middle  aisle,  t 
The  side  galleries  were  reserved  for  the  miscellaneous  aiuliencc: 
the  front  gallery  for  the  choir,  organ  and  colored  people.  About 
800  persons  could  be  comfortably  seated  in  this  house. 

In  the  autumn  of  1814  the  new  house  was  so  near  completion 
that  it  could  be  used  for  worship,  and  on  the  20th  of  November 

*  17th  April,  1813  :  "  Tj  paid  the  masons  for  laying  the  last  stone,"  [for 
grog,]  372  cents. 

— Treasurer's  book, 
t  See  Appendix  C. 


148  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

the  last  services  were  held  in  the  old  building ;  *  on  which  occa- 
sion Dr.  Andrew  Yates  preached  in  the  morning  and  afternoon 
from  the  132iid  Psalm,  3rd,  4th,  5th  and  6th  verses.f  On  the 
following  Sabbath,  November  27th,  the  new  house  was  dedi- 
cated, and  Dr.  Kliphalet  Nott  preached  twice  from  the  4th  verse 
of  the  27th  Psalm.  It  was  used  as  a  house  of  worship  47  years, 
until  the  6th  of  August,  1861,  when  it  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

The  increase  of  this  congregation  has  do)iV)tless  been  much 
retarded  by  the  want  of  seat  room.  This  was  felt  many  years 
before  the  church  of  1734  was  removed.  In  view  of  this  fact 
it  is  singular  that  the  church  of  1814  should  not  have  been  built 
larger.  It  could  accommodate  but  a  few  more  persons  than  its 
predecessor.  J  Indeed  it  may  be  said  that  from  1734  to  1862,  a 
period  of  1 28  years,  the  church  accommodations  of  this  congre- 
gation remained  substantially  the  same.  In  the  meantime  the 
little  hamlet  grew  into  a  village  and  the  village  into  a  city  of 
respectable  dimensions.  It  had  but  few  competitors  in  the  field, 
and  though  it  became  the  mother  church  of  this  region,  with 
one  exce[)tion  all  her  colonies  were  sent  out  some  years  subse- 
quent to  1814. 

Before  closing  this  short  account  of  this  liouse  it  may  be 
proper  to  mention  the  honored  names  of  Nicholas  Vander  Vol- 
gen  and  his  ^vife,  who  were  considerable  benefactors  to  it. 

Many  of  the  congi-egation  i-emember  the  huge  brass  chande- 
lier and  i)leasant  organ  of  the  old  church.  These  were  their 
gifts  ;  the  former  in  1792,  the  latter  in  1797. 

*  The  old  church  was  sold  to  the  contractors  for  450  dollars,  and  they  were 
about  to  remove  it  in  the  spring  of  18 13,  when  on  a  remonstrance  being  made 
to  the  consistory  against  thus  depriving  the  congregation  of  a  place  of  worship 
while  the  new  house  was  building,  the  contract  was  annulled,  and  it  was  left 
standing  until  1814. 

In  the  remonstrance  allusion  is  made  to  the  desecration  of  the  old  church 
by  lawless  persons  breaking  the  seats  and  pews,  and  it  was  advised  to  prose- 
cute the  marauders. 

— Consistory  Minutes. 

In  the  Treasurer's  book  is  the  following  entry  under  date  5th  July,  1814  : 
"  To  paid  for  liquor  when  the  old  spire  was  taken  down,  37^  cents.  Nov. 
30th,  1814.  Charles  Kane  and  Henry  Yates  bought  the  old  church  for 
$442.50. 

tAbraham  Fonda's  Bible. 

JThe  dimensions  of  the  church  of  1734  were  80  feet  by  56  feet,  those  of 
the  church  of  1814  were  86  feet  by  57  feet. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  149 

The  great  chandelier  {groote  kroon)  had  eighteen  lights,  be- 
sides which  there  were  seven  lesser  ones  {klcifndere  krooneu)  of 
six  lights  each,  costing  altogether  £67-10  New  York  currency. 

The  money  for  the  organ  was  given  in  1797,  and  suffered  to 
accumulate  until  1826(?)  when  an  instrument  was  obtained  from 
Henry  Erben,  of  New  York,  at  the  cost  of  1,000(?)  dollars.  This 
was  consumed  with  the  church  in  1861. 

The  action  of  the  consistory  in  regard  to  these  donations  may 
be  seen  in  the  following  extracts  from  their  minutes  : — 

Sept.  17th,  1792.  "Mr.  Nicolaas  Vander  Volgen  and  his 
wife  Sarah  Vander  Volgen  have  jn-esented  to  the  church  of 
Schenectady  a  great  chandelier  of  18_  lights  and  seven  lesser 
chandeliers  each  of  6  lights  ;  the  sum  given  therefor  by  them 
was  £67-10.  Wherefore  the  consistory  in  the  name  of  the 
church  heartily  and  solemnly  thank  Mr.  N.  Vander  Volgen  and 
his  wife  for  this  handsome  donation  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  evening  service,  praying  the  Lord  that  they  with  the  church 
may  for  a  long  time  enjoy  the  use  thereof  in  peace  and  good 
health.     The  consistory  were 

D.  Romeyn,  Pastor  loci. 
Nicholas  Hall,  Abram  Oothout, 

Gerrit  S.  Veeder,  Jr.,  Thos.  Brouwer  Bancker, 

Nicholas  Veeder,  Abram  Swits, 

Simon  J.  Van  Antwerpen,  Frederick  Clute, 

Deacons.  Elders.  * 


*  Sept.  17th,  1792.  Dan  heeft  de  Heer  Nicholas  Vander  Volgen  en  syn 
huysre\Touw  Sarah  Vander  Volgen  Veeringe  gemaakt  aen  de  kerk  van  Sche- 
nectady Een  groote  Kroon  van  i8  lighten  en  seven  Kleyndere  Kroonen  Van 
elk  6  lighten  de   kosten  door  hun  E.  geeven   was  de  Somnia  van  £6'j-\o. 

Den  E  Kerkenraadt  heeft  daarop  de  Heer  N.  Vander  Volgen  en  zyn  huys- 
vrouw  uyt  naam  van  degemeente  hertelyk  en  pleghtilyk  bedankt  Voor  dese 
aanzienlyke  Donatie,  tot  gereyvinge  Van  den  Avont  god^dienst  met  nevens 
gaande  Toebiddinge  dat  de  Heere  hun  E  nog  lange  tydt  het  nut  daor  van  met 
de  Gemeente  zai  doen  genieten  in  Vreede  en  Welvaaren. 
Kerkenraadt  Waaren. 

D.  Romeyn,  Pastor  loci. 
Nicholas  Hall,  Abram  Oothout, 

Gerrit  S.  Veeder,  Jr.,  Thos.   Brouwer  Bancker, 

Nicholas  Veeder,  Abram  Swits, 

Simon  J.  Van  Antwerpen,  Frederick  Clute, 

Diaconen,  Ouderlingen. 


150  IIISTOIIY  OF  THE  CIIUKCII. 

Aiivil  3d,  1797.  Mr.  Nicholas  Vander  Volgen,  Elder  of  the 
Consistory,  having  made  known  through  Do.  Komeyn  that  his 
Honor  had  laid  aside  out  of  his  estate  £150  for  the  providing  of 
an  Organ  for  our  Church,  hoping  that  the  Consistory  would 
raise  the  rest  of  the  money  required  for  the  ))urchase  of  sucli  an 
organ  as  may  be  suitable  for  our  Church  building — the  Consis- 
tory is  very  sensible  of  the  favor  of  this  charitable  gentleman, 
and  thank  his  Honor  cordially  for  this  gift.     Furthermore, 

Kesolved,  That  means  be  taken  at  once  to  raise  money  to  be 
added  thereto  for  the  purchase  of  a  good  organ  for  our  church.  * 

9th  May,  1797.  Kesolved,  That  a  subscri])tion  be  o])ened  at 
once  for  the  organ,  and  presented  to  every  householder  belong- 
ing to  our  church  for  subscriptions — the  Consistory  shall  at  once 
l)romote  this  j)roject,  each  elder  and  deacon  taking  his  own 
neighborhood,  t 

May  26th,  1797.  Received  by  the  hand  of  Derick  Van 
Ingen,  as  executor  of  the  last  will  and  testament  of  Nicholas 
Vander  Volgen,  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  for 
the  purchase  of  an  Organ. 

7th  April,  1800.  "As  the  late  Mr.  Nicholas  Vander  Volgen 
some  years  ago  made  an  additional  donation  to  the  chandeliers 

*Ap.  3th,  1797.  Mr.  Nicholaas  Vander  Volgen,  Ouderlingen  der  E.  Ker- 
kenraadt  bekent  gemaakt  hebbende  door  D.  Romeyn  dat  zyn  E  ;[f  150  uvt 
zyn  goederen  dfgelegen  hadde  tot  verzorginge  van  een  Orgel  in  onse  kerke 
wenschende  dat  den  E  Kerkenraad  de  overige  Verevschte  gelden  daar  by 
Willde  doen  tot  Verkryginge  van  sulke  Orgel  als  ons  kerk  gebouw  sal  Voe- 
gen. 

De  E  Kerkenraad  is  zeer  gevoelig  Van  de  gunste  van  deze  goedadige  Heer, 
on  bedankt  zyn  E.  hertgrondiglyk  voor  dese  gifts.     Voorts.     Besloten, 

Ten  eersten  middelen  aante  wenden  tot  Verkryginge  van  Penningen  Welke 
hier  toegevoeght  moeten  werden  all  00k  tot  Verkryginge  van  een  goede  Orgel 
voorouse  kerk. 

— Consistory  Minutes. 

toth  May,  1797.  Besloten,  Eene  subscriptie  Voor  de  Orgol  ten  eerste  te 
openen  en  by  zeder  buys  tot  onse  gemeente  liehoorende  aan  tebieden  ter 
teekkinge,  sullende  de  kerkenraadt  dit  ten  eerster  bevorderen  elk  der  Ouder- 
lingen en  Diaconen  haare  buert  daanoe  nemende. 

—  Consistory  minutes. 
May  26th,  1797.     Aen  Gelt  ontvang  By   hande   van  Derick   Van   Inge  als 
Voght  van  het  Leste    will  and   Testement   van    Niechs   Vander  Volgin    Die 
Somme  van  Een  Hondert  en  Vifttg  I'ont  Vore  het  Gebruyck    van  Een  Orgel. 

— Church  acct.  book. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  1 5 1 

given  by  him  sometime  before,  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  the 
board  to  procure  an  Organ  for  the  use  of  the  Church,  which  do- 
nation amounted  to  £150,  and  which  has  accumulated  by  interest 
to  something  more  than  £180  ;  and  as  the  Consistory  wish  to 
obtain  an  organ  for  their  Church  as  soon  as  may  be, 

Resolved,  Therefore,  that  a  committee  of  three  be  ai)i)oiuted 
out  of  their  congregation,  who  are  hereby  requested  to  call  u\i- 
on  the  Collector  of  this  board  and  select  out  of  the  obligations 
belonging  to  this  Board,  now  in  the  hands  of  their  Collector,  an 
amount  equal  to  £200,  and  that  such  committee  attend  to  the 
annual  interest  with  precision,  and  continue  from  year  to  year 
the  said  £200,  by  interest  and  private  donations,  until  said  sum 
shall  amount  to  £400,  unless  the  Consistory  should  call  for  a  re- 
turn of  said  obligations  at  any  time  before,  and  that  said  Com- 
mittee report  annually  to  the  Board  their  progress  when  called 
up.  That  the  Committee  be  Messrs.  Gen.  A.  Oothout,  Joseph 
C.  Yates,  Esq.,  Mayor  of  this  city,  and  Dirk  Van  Ingen.  Esq., 
who  are  hereby  also  authorized,  when  the  inoney  aforesaid  shall 
have  accumulated  to  a  sufficient  amount,  with  advice  of  any  five 
members  of  this  Board,  three  of  them  being  Elders,  to  purchase 
such  organ,  and  place  the  same  in  the  church  for  the  usp  of  the 
Congregation. 

Jan.  1st,  1 806,  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  enquire  respect- 
ing the  fund  bequeathed  by  Mr.  Vander  Volgen  for  an  Organ. 
*  *  *  They  report  that  the  money  was  paid  to  the  Church 
and  blended  in  the  General  Fund.  * 

Finally  April  3d,  1817,  the  Consistory  acknowledged  the  re- 
ceipt of  £150  from  the  Heirs  of  Nicholas  Vander  Volgen.  And 
about  1826  this  bequest  and  its  accumulations  were  invested  in 
an  Organ." 

*  Consistory  minutes. 


152  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  ciuucii  OK  1863. 

On  the  6th  day  of  August,  1861,  a  destructive  fire  occurred 
ou  the  river  hank  near  the  Mohawk  bridge.  Owing  to  the 
strong  northerly  wind  prevailing  many  buildings  were  destroyed 
before  the  fire  could  be  subdued.  The  burning  sliingles  were 
carried  to  all  parts  of  the  city.  One  of  these  alighted  upon  the 
belfry  of  the  Church,  which  was  several  hundred  feet  south  of 
the  conflagration.  Before  it  was  discovered  the  Hames  had 
made  such  headway  that  no  human  aid  could  save  the  building — 
in  one  houi-  nothing  was  left  of  this  beautiful  house  but  the  bare 
walls  and  the  smoking  embers. 

For  some  years  the  congregation  liad  been  straitened  for 
room  and,  as  in  181(1,  the  question  of  enlargement  had  been 
long  agitated.  Even  the  formation  of  the  Second  Church  had 
not  materially  relieved  the  pressure. 

After  the  fire,  a  portion  of  the  congregation  advocated  en- 
largement and  rebuilding  u})on  the  old  walls,  which  were  still 
sound.  Wiser  counsels,  however  prevailed,  and  it  was  resolved 
to  build  anew  from  the  foundation. 

In  carrying  out  these  views  the  Consistory  committed  tlie 
designing  of  the  new  House  to  Edward  Tuckerman  Potter,  Esq., 
of  New  York,  who  in  his  "  statement  of  the  considerations 
influencing  the  design  of  this  church  "  says.  "  The  first  point 
to  be  considered,  in  making  this  as  every  design,  was  the  wants 
to  be  provided  for — the  second  liow  to  i)rovide  for  them  at  the 
least  cost  and  at  the  same  time  to  secure  a  pleasing  result.  The 
congregation  desired  a  Church  building  capable  of  seating  about 
eight  hundred  ])ersons — a  consistory  room,  which  should  also  be 
used  for  a  Sunday  School  room,  and  a  tower  and  sjnre.  The 
lot  l>eing  on  the  corner  of  two  princij^al  streets,  the  problem, 
which  I  set  for  myself  was,  how  to  place  these  required  build- 
ings on  it  so  as  to  i)roduce  the  best  effect  for  the  sum  to  be 
expended.  Some  of  the  Congregation  proposed  a  Consistory 
room  j)laced  on  one  of  the  streets,  but  separate  from  the  Church 
as  the  old  one  had  been  ;  but  this  would  have  made  one  contrast 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  io3 

ill  with  tlie  other,  and  would  have  cut  up  the  lot  to  a  disadvan- 
tage, and  have  thrown  away  that  important  clement  of  architec- 
tural effect — mass.  It  tseemed  better  therefore  to  group  them 
so  as  to  make  one  architectural  whole.  Again  it  was  proposed 
to  place  the  Church  in  the  centre  of  the  lot,  with  the  Consistorv 
behind  it  and  the  tower  in  front — a  connnon  plan.  This  M'ould 
have  left  no  grass  or  place  of  any  kind  in  front,  hut  merely  two 
strips  of  grass  on  the  sides." 

"  These  considerations  suggested  the  arrangement  of  the  pres- 
ent plan,  Avhich  combined  all  the  buildings  in  one  group, — a 
group  convergent  or  pyramidal  in  its  lines — the  tower  and  spire 
from  every  point  of  view  forming  always  the  centre  of  the  pic- 
ture. In  addition  to  this  the  building  so  arranged  left  the  un- 
employed space  on  the  lot  whei'e  it  would  most  tell ;  and  by 
placing  the  group  of  buildings  somewhat  back  from  the  open 
sides  of  the  lot  the  space  for  the  greensward  was  further  en- 
larged, so  that  it  is  common  to  hear  the  remark  that  the  church 
is  fortunate  in  having  such  a  fine  site  and  so  much  open  space 
about  it,  when  in  truth  it  was  the  planning  the  Church  which 
gave  the  open  space  which  is  admired,  and  which  as  we  have 
seen  would  not  have  existed  if  the  plan  first  proposed  had  been 
followed." 

"  It  was  originally  my  intention  to  choose  the  style  in  which 
many  of  the  Dutch  Churches  of  the  state  were  at  one  time 
built ;  such  as  the  North  Dutch  Church,  Fulton  street,  New 
York,  Dr.  "VVyckoff's  Church,  Albany,  &c.  But  the  steej)  Dutch 
gables  of  Schenectady,  and  the  views  which  had  been  presented 
of  the  churches  erected  in  the  early  days  of  the  Dutch  Colony 
pointed  to  an  older  and  more  picturesque  style,  and  one  more 
suited  to  the  site,  the  character  of  the  building  and  the  reminis- 
cences which  I  wished  to  preserve." 

"  The  matei-ial  to  be  used  also  had  necessarily  much  to  do 
with  the  choice  of  a  style.  A  more  beautiful  and  economical 
material,  or  a  more  durable  one  when  properly  used  than  the 
purple  grey  wacke  of  Schenectady,  it  would  be  hard  to  find.  The 
builders  in  the  Fatherland,  however,  had  no  such  material,  and 
their  great  churches,  though  built  in  the  pointed  style,  as  were 
early  Dutch  Churches  on  this  Continent,  have  a  meagreness  and 
an  absence  of  distinctive  features,  which  afford  little  that  is 
noticeable  or  that  can  be  copied.     And  except  the  great  use  of 

20 


154  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

the  richly  stained  glass,  the  frequent  introduction  of  armorial 
bearings  and  texts  of  Scrij)ture  as  ornaments,  the  use  of  cor- 
ners, painted  arches,  high  pitclied  gables,  &c., — features,  indeed, 
which  are  not  the  exclusive  })roperty  of  the  i)ointed  style  of  any  time 
or  country,  though  introduced  on  this  Continent  from  Holland — 
there  was  little  to  be  found  in  the  Church  architecture  of  the 
Fatherland,  sufficiently  distinctive  to  serve  as  a  model;  and  the 
architect  was  left  to  use  his  material,  a  more  beautiful  one,  as 
has  been  said,  than  that  used  in  Holland, — in  the  way  to  which 
that  material  was  best  suited. .  Moreover  as  economy  was  a 
prime  consideration,  it  was  necessary,  both  externally  and  in- 
ternally to  do  every  thing  which  must  be  done,  in  such  a  way  as 
to  add  to  the  general  effect — to  cover  up  nothing  merely  to  hide 
it, — and  to  s})end  what  little  money  could  be  devoted  to  orna- 
ment on  one  or  two  points,  instead  of  frittering  it  away  over  the 
whole  building." 

The  following  brief  description  was  published  in  the  Christian 
Intelligencerii,ome time  after  the  dedication  of  the  Church  in  1863. 

"  One  of  the  first  things  that  strikes  a  stranger  is  the  fine  site 
of  the  Church.  It  stands  on  a  corner  of  two  of  the  princi])al 
streets,  two  wide,  shady,  pleasant  and  not  too  busy  streets  the 
lot  is  one  hundred  and  forty-one  feet  six  inches,  by  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty-nine  feet."  * 

"  The  Church  faces  Union  street,  the  Consistory  room  faces 
Church  street.  The  end  of  the  Consistory  abuts  against  the 
side  of  the  Church  forming  an  inverted  "  I  In  the 
angle  so  formed  stands  the  towei'  surmount-  |         ec]  by  a 

spire.  «  *  *  *  The  whole  building,  including  butresses, 
measures  outside  one  hundred  and  thirteen  feet  from  North  to 
South  and  one  hundred  and  sixteen  feet  from  East  to  "West ;  and 
it  is  one  hundred  and  seventy  feet  from  the  ground  to  the  top  of 
the  spire.  It  is  built  of  stone  and  roofed  with  slate.  The  color 
of  the  stone  used  for  the  walls  is  a  beautiful  purple  grey,  varied 
by  the  introduction  of  stones   of  other  colors,  principally  Con- 

♦The  Church  lot  was  originally  one  huudred  by  two  hundred  feet,  Amster- 
dam measure,  or  about  ninety-three  by  one  hundred  and  eighty-seven  English 
feet.  Deeming  this  too  narrow,  the  Consistory,  in  1861,  purchased  the  ad- 
joining lot  on  the  East,  of  the  heirs  of  Isaac  Riggs,  thus  increasing  the  width 
of  the  site  forty-six  feet.     The  price  paid  was  $2,605. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  155 

necticut  brown  stone.  The  tracery  of  the  large  Rose  Window 
over  the  entrance  is  of  Caen  Stone.  The  main  entrance  is  en- 
riched with  polished  shafts  of  red  granite,  with  bases  and  capi- 
tals of  Nova  Scotia  stone,  the  latter  carved  with  representations 
of  the  principal  productions  of  the  Mohawk  Valley,  such  as 
oats,  broom  corn,  hops,  &c.  The  text  of  Scripture  carved  over 
this  door  it  the  following "  :  "I  have  brought  the  first  fruits  of 
the  land,  which  thou  O  Lord  hast  given  me."     Deut.  26  :  10. 

"One  of  the  side  entrances  is  called  in  accordance  with  an  old 
Dutch  Custom  the  Brides  door,  and  over  it  is  a  little  tn})let 
window  with  shaftlets  of  polished  white  marble,  whose  capitals 
are  filled  with  orange  blossoms  carved  in  stone." 

The  legend  over  this  door  is  the  following  text  of  scri])ture  : — 
"His  banner  over  me  was  love,"  *     Canticles  II :  4. 
[The  eastern  side  entrance  named  "  Forefather's  Dooi*,"  con- 
tains the  scripture  passage  from  1  King's  8:57  "  The  Lord  our 
God  be  with  us  as  he  was  with  our  fathers."] 

"These  beautiful  passages  f  from  the  word  of  God  take  the 
place  of  those  symbols  sometimes  seen  in  painted  architecture, 
the  use  of  which  is  by  our  Catechism  forbidden.'" 

"  The  dimensions  of  the  interior  are  as  follows  :  the  church 
is  sixty  by  one  hundred  feet :  the  Consistory  fifty  by  thirty  feet 
and  the  tower  about  sixteen  feet  square.  In  the  latter  a  book 
case  is  recessed  in  the  wall  for  the  Sunday  School  Library.  The 
Church  and  Consistory  have  open  timbered  roofs,  the  former 
being  fifty-eight  feet  and  the  latter  forty-four  feet  high  from 
floor  to  ridge.  There  are  no  galleries  except  one  at  the  entrance 
end  of  the  Church.  A  space  for  the  Choir  is  provided  in  con- 
nection with  the  organ  behind  the  pulpit.  By  thus  placing  the 
organ  behind  the  pulpit,  and  so  grouping  the  representatives  of 
the  preaching,  prayer  and  praise  which  make  up  our  worship, 
that  barrenness  of  the  pulpit  end  of  the  interior,  which  in  so 
many  of  our  churches  makes  itself  painfully  felt,  is  here  avoided. 
The  Consistory  room  that  feature  peculiar  to  us,  is  also  made  to 
add  greatly  to  the  effect  of  the  building,  both  externally  and 
internally.  The  screen  which  divides  it  from  the  Church  is 
composed   of   carved   black    Walnut  and  plate  glass — is  thirty 

*  [  Carved  in  May,  1880.     W.  E.  G.  ] 

+  [five  in  number,  three  of  which  are  in  gold,  W.   E.   G.] 


]  56  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

feet  wide  and  over  forty  feet  high,  and  by  an  arrangement  of 
weigiits  *  in  tlieraselves  ornamental  can  be  opened  or  closed. 
The  adv.'intage  of  this  was  shown  on  the  occasion  of  the  dedica^ 
tion  wlion  the  Consistory  room  was  filled  by  the  overflow  of  the 
congregation,  who  were  thus  enabled  as  well  as  those  in  the 
Church,  to  see  and  hear  and  take  part  in  the  Services.  The 
windows  are  so  managed  that  while  there  is  no  glare  to  the  eye, 
a  softened  light  falls  from  above  on  the  faces  of  both  j)reacher 
and  people.  One  of  the  principal  windows  bears  the  arms  of 
the  Dutch  church  and  its  mottoes  ;  Nisi  Dominus  frustra  : 
Eendracht  maakt  maeht.  The  windows  of  the  tower  (which  open 
into  both  Church  an  Consistory  by  large  archways)  contain 
views  of  four  of  the  different  churches  which  have  succeeded 
each  other  during  a  period  of  nearly  two  hundred  years.  In 
other  windows  may  be  seen  the  Coats  of  Arms  of  some  of  the 
Dutch  families  of  Schenectady.  *  *  *  One  of  the  pleasant 
things  connected  with  the  building  of  this  church  is  the  gener- 
osity which  has  been  called  forth.  The  organ,  f  a  beautiful 
instrument  in  every  sense ;  the  pulpit  of  carved  black  walnut 
enriched  with  costly  marbles  ;  the  screen  before  spoken  of ;  % 
and  all  the  windows,  are  gifts  to  the  church,  some  of  them  by 
persons  not  residents  of  Schenectady,  but  who  thus  give  evidence 
that  they  have  not  forgotten  that  they  are  her  children." 

"  All  the  windows  are  filled  with  stained  glass.  A  good  deal 
of  color  has  been  introduced  in  the  interior  decoration.  All  the 
construction  is  in  sight  and  made  serve  a  decorative  purpose. 
The  building  is  equally  well  finished  in  every  part.  No  imita- 
tions have  been  used  ;  stone,  wood,  iron  and  plaster,  all  showing 
for  just  what  they  are."  |1 


*  [these  weights  were  removed  several  years  ago,  after  an  accident,  and  the 
windows  are  now  raised  by  concealed  pulleys  like  ordinary  window  sashes. 
[W.  E.  G.] 

t  the  gift  of  the  late  Abraham  Doty,  a  former  officer  of  the  church.  [W. 
E.  G.] 

X  the  screen  and  pulpit  were  the  gift  of  Mr.  Gershora  Bancker.    [W.  E.  G.] 

II  For  a  full  and  detailed  description  of  this  church  reference  may  be  had  to 
the  architects  "  statement  of  the  considerations  influencing  the  the  design  of 
the  First  Dutch  Reformed  Church, Schenectady,  N.  Y.,"  published  in  1868. 

For  a  plan  of  this  church  see  appendix  D. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  167 


Every   one   of  the  upright  windows  and  the  two  large  rose 
windows   of   the  church  were  presented   by  friends   or   mem- 
bers  in  their  own    name  or  in  memoriam    of  relatives.     The 
North    rose  .window,    representing   in    stained    glass,    P'aith, 
Hope    and    Charity,    was     presented    by    the    daughters    of 
the   late   Andrew   Yates,    a   former   professor   in    Union    Col- 
lege.    The   South   rose   window,    presented   by   the    members 
of  the  Vedder  family,  contains  the  coat  of  arms  of  the  House 
of  Orange  with  the  added  motto  of  the  Dutch  Church,    and  is 
set  in  Caen  Stone.     The  four  triplet  windows  at  the  North  and 
South  angles  of  the  Eastern  and  Western  walls  were  presented 
by  John  McNee,  Jacob  V.  Vrooman  and  Nicholas  Van  Vranken. 
The  windows  in  the  South  and  North  and  West  walls  of  the 
church  are  the  gift  of  Henry  Rosa,  Albert  Ward,  Martin  De- 
Forest,  Mrs.  Amelia  Klein  Groot  and  Casper  F.  Hoag.     The 
East  wall  is  pierced  by  five  windows.     The  first  is  the  gift  of 
P.  W.  Holmes,  in  memory  of  his  grandfather,  Volkert  Douw 
Oothout.    The  second  is  in  memory  of  Helen  Aim  Consaul.    The 
third  is  the  gift  of  Julia  T.  Doty,  and  the  fourth  of  William  H. 
Helmer.     The  fifth  is  in  memory  of  Jonas  Holland,  born  March 
10th,   1784,  died  March  25th,   1839.     The    uninscribed    tower 
window  of  black  walnut  and  plate  glass  was  given  by  Peter  B. 
Yates.     The  windows  in  the  tower  room  are  the  gifts  of  Aaron 
Barringer  and  Chauncy   Vibbard.    In  the  Consistory  room,  he 
South  window  was  given  by  Thomas  B.  Mitchell.    Of  the  North 
windows,  one  is  in  memory  of  Abraham  A.  and  Marie  Truax, 
and  the  other  two  contain  the  coats  of  arms  of  the  Cuyler  and 
Clute  families.     Of  the  five  windows  over  the   entrance   door, 
the   centralone   is   the  gift  of  Nicholas  Cain,  and  the  others  of 
Thomas   H.    Reeves,    Daniel    Vedder,   Charles   N.    Yates   and 
Charles  E.  Angle.     Since  the  church  was  erected,  eight  or  more 
of  the  donors  have  died,  so  that  several    of  these  windows   are 
already  hi  memoriam  of  the  departed  friends,  whose  names  they 
bear.     The  tablet  set  in  the  niche  in  the  eastern  wall,  reads  as 
follows  : 


158  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

TO  THE 

GLORY 

OF 

ALMIGHTY  GOD, 

IN  HONOR  OF  THE   FOUNDERS  OF  THIS  CITY 

A.  D.  1662. 

AND  OF  THIS  CHURCH 

A.  D.  1680. 

IN    PITIFUL    REMEMBRANCE   OF   THE   MARTYRS   WHO   PER- 
ISHED IN  THE  MASSACRES, 
OF 

FEBRUARY  8th  1699,  AND  JULY   i8th  1748. 

IN  REVERENT  MEMORY  OF  THEIR  FOREFATHERS. 
IN  GRATITUDE  TO  THEIR  BENEFACTORS, 

HANS  JANSE   ENKLUYS,  DEID   1683. 

AND 

NICHOLAS  VAN  DERVOLGEN,  DIED   1799. 

AND  IN   TESTIMONY   OF  THE    FAITHFUL   LABORS  OF  THEIR 

PASTORS. 

Petrus  Taschenmaecker 1684-1690    John  H.  Meier 1803-1806 

Eernardus  Freeman 1700-1705     Cornelius  Bogardus 1808-1812 

Johannes  Lydius 1705- 1709     Jacob  Van  Vechten 18 1 5- 1849 

Thomas  Brouwer 1715-1728     William  J.  R.    Taylor 1749-1853 

Reinhardt  Erichzon 1728-1736     Julius  H.  Seelye , 1853-1858 

Cornelius  Van  Santvoord.. .1740-1752     Denis  Wortman 1865-1870 

Barent  Vrooman 1754-1784     AshbelG.  Vermilye 1871-1876 

Dirck  Romeyn 1784-1804     Wm.  Elliot  Griffis 1877 

Jacob  Sickles 1 794- 1797 

the  tkople  of  this  church  celebrate  theik 
200th  akniversart. 

AND 
ERECT    THIS   MEMORIAL 

JUNE  21st,  1880. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  15f) 

This  edifice  was  dedicated  to  the  purpose  of  worship  and 
praise  on  the  6tli  day  of  August,  1863, — tlie  anniversary  of  the 
destruction  of  the  former  house  two  years  before.  Tlie  sermon 
on  this  occasion  was  preached  by  Rev.  Doctor  Edward  E.  Seelye, 
his  text  being  the  fifth  verse  of  tlie  seventh  chapter  of  Luke, 
"  For  he  loveth  our  nation  and  he  hath  built  us  a  synagogue." 
The  following  tablet  set  into  the  niche  reserved  for  it  on  the 
western  wall  of  the  church,  to  the  right  of  the  pulpit  was 
erected  in  1878. 

THE    REFORMED    PROTESTANT    DUTCH   CHURCH 

OF 

SCHENECTADY. 

Founded  A.    D.    1680. 

This  edifice,  the  corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  May  29th,  1862, 

was  dedicated 

TO  THE  WORSHIP  OF  ALMIGHTY  GOD 

August  6th,  1863. 
EDWARD  E.  SEELYE,  Pastor. 

S.S1MON  C.  Groot,  H.  V.  V.  Clutk, 

Martin  DeForest,  Abram  Doty, 

Casper  F.  Hoag,  Thomas  B  Mitchell, 

Abra3i  Vrooman,  Cornelius  TriOMPSON, 

^  Building  Committee. 

Edward  Tuckerman  Potter,  Architect. 

Ponsonby  and  Magin,  Mastor  Masons.     Peter  Van  Dyck,  Mas- 
ter Carpenter. 


160  ITISTOP.Y  OF  THE  CIII'KCIT. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE     VOORLEZER,    VOORSANGER     AND     Kl.OKI.UYER  ;     BURIAL     CUS- 
TOMS   AND    I'LACES. 

Voorlezer. — The  duties  of  Voorlezer  and  Voorsanger  were 
usually  united  in  the  same  person  and  defined  in  the  following 
resolution  of  the  consistory  : — 

January  8th,  1810,  "Resolved  that  in  future  the  clerk  of  the 
church  shall  commence  the  public  service  in  the  morning  with 
the  reading  of  the  ten  commandments,  a  chapter  of  the  Bible  * 
and  Psalm  or  Hymn  at  discretion,  and  in  the  afternoons,  with 
the  reading  of  the  articles  of  the  Creed  together  with  the  chap- 
ter and  Psalm  or  Hymn. "  In  addition  to  the  above  he  had  "the 
right  and  emoluments  of  burying  the  dead  of  the  congregation." 
Next  to  the  minister  he  was  the  most  important  officer  of  the 
church. 

According  to  tradition  the  first  Voorlezer  of  this  church  was 
Harmen  Albeitse  Yedder,  and  the  second  his  son  Albert.  They 
were  succeeded  by  the  following  persons : — 

Jan  Dellamont,  1735-49,  with  a  salary  of  £7  to  £12. 

Philip   Kiley,  f  17o0-57,  "         "         £8-10  to  £14. 

Johannes  Van  Sice,  1758-66,       "         "         £12. 

Daniel  Price,  1768. 

Pieter  Van  Benthuysen,  1768-70,"         "         £12. 

Cornelis  DeGraaf,  1771-1800,     "         "         £20,  or  $50. 

Simon  J.  Van  Antwerp,  English 

clerk,  1798-1801,     "         "         £10. 

Cornelius  Van  Vranken,  1801,     "         "         $50. 

Cornelius  Zeger  Van  Santvoord,  1802. 

*  1759  aen  Johannes  Vedder  voor  een  Voorlezeri  Byble.     ^^^200. 

— Church  acct.  book. 
t  Philip  Ryley  was  Cataehisatic  Mcester  (and  probably  Voorsanger  &  dood- 
graver^  of  the  church  of  Albany  in  1 761  ;  in  1767  the  church  of  Schenectady 
complained  that  he  had  taught  unsound  doctrine,  and  he  was  called  upon  by 
the  Church  of  Albany  to  recant,  refusing  to  do  so,  they  deprived  him  of  his 
office  o{  voorlezer,  doodgraver  &c.,  and  ordered  him  to  vacate  his  house. 

— Albany  Church  minutes. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  161 

John  J.  Van  Antwerp,  1803. 
Arent  A.  Vedder,  *  180-1-8. 
William  R.  Bogardus,   1809-13. 
Abraham  Swits,  1814. 

Eliud  L.  Davis,  1815-22,  (?)with  a  salary  of  $75. 
To  imjjrove  the  Psalmody  of  the  congregation,   on  the  13th 
of  February,  1794,  the  Consistory  took  the  following  action  : 

"  The  Consistory  taking  into  consideration  the  defective  con- 
dition of  the  Dutch  Psalmody  in  the  public  worship  of  this 
church. 

Resolved,  That  Cornells  DeGraaf,  the  Chorister,  sliall  use  his 
endeavors,  in  each  family  of  this  village  and  elsewhere,  to  ob- 
tain pupils  in  singing,  on  condition  that  each  shall  ])ay  one  shil- 
ling and  sixpence  a  month,  the  Consistory  also  adding  thereto 
for  each  scholar  for  the  term  of  six  months,  one  shilling  and 
six  pence  a  month  ;  provided  a  certificate  be  shown  to  the  Con- 
sistory signed  by  Mr.  DeGraaf  that  each  scholar  has  diligently 
spent  his  time  as  he  ought.  Also  Mr.  DeGraaf  in  singing  shall 
try  to  observe  the  measure  of  the  half  notes  aud  soften  liis  voice 
as  much  as  possible." 

If  tradition  tells  the  truth  respecting  Mr.  DeGraaf's  singing 
the  advice  last  given  was  by  no  means  inappropriate.  It  is  said 
that  while  sitting  on  the  "  back  stoop  "  of  his  house  then  stand- 
ing upon  the  site  of  Mrs.  Abel  Smith's  house  in  State  street,  he 
beguiled  the  evening  hoiirs  in  summer  by  psalm  singing  and 
that  his  voice  could  be  clearly  heard  two  miles  up  the  river  in  a 
straight  line. 

Klokluyer. — The  sexton  of  the  church  was  called  the  Klok- 
luyer,  or  bellringer  and  his  duties  seem  to  have  been  not  only  to 
ring  the  bell,  but  to  keep  the  benches  and  seats  in  pioper  ordei* 
and  to  dig  and  fill  the  graves.  The  earliest  mention  of  this 
officer  by  the  church  records  is  the  following : — 

"  At  a  Consistory  held  this  1st  July,  169G,  it  was  resolved 
that  Simon  Groot  senior,  for  rigning  the  bell  and  arranging  the 
benches  and  stools  in  the  church,  shall  receive  annually  out  of 
the  income  of  the  church,  or  out  of  the  deacon's  money,  the  sum 


*  1778,  Feb.  6th.  AreiU  A.  Vedder  was  Voorkzer  of  the  Church  of  Albany. 

— Consistory  minutes. 
21 


162  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHtTRCH. 

of  60  guilders,  seawant,  [$7.50],  to  begin  on  this  1st  July.  Thus 
done  in  Schenectady  this  1st  July,  1606."  * 

Simon  Groot  senior  mentioned  in  this  resolution  was  the  first 
of  the  name,  who  settled  at  Schenectady  and  the  ancester  of  all 
the  Groots  found  in  this  vicinity.  He  and  his  five  sons  were 
carried  away  captive  in  to  Canada  by  the  French  and  Indians 
in  1690. 

The  salary  of  the  sexton  down  to  1735  was  60  guilder  or 
$7.50.  This  year  Hendrick  Vrooman  filled  the  oftice  and  Avas 
succeeded  by  Joseph  Van  Sice  until  1747  at  a  yearly  stipend  of 
£6  or  $15.  ' 

Margarita  Veeder,  f  widow  of  Symon  Volkertse  Veeder,  held 
the  oftice  during  the  years  1748-9  for  £3-10  or  $8.25. 

From  1750  to  1758  Sara  Marselis  was  klokluyer,  the  duties 
being  performed  for  £4  or  $10  "%  huar  neger  Sees." 

In  1759  Isaac  Quackenbos'  neger  rang  the  bell ; — and  "Peeter 
Seesar"  (Caesar)  from  1760  to  1766,  for  £6  per.  an. 

Jacobus  Van  Sice  was  sexton  from  1771  to  1791,  at  a  salary 
of  £10  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Gysbert,  who  was  dis- 
missed from  oftice  in  1799  for  an  unfortunate  indiscretion,  as 
will  appear  from  the  following  extract  from  the  Consistory 
minutes  : — 

"October  25th,  1799.  A  complaint  having  been  delivered  in 
against  G.  Van  Sice,  the  Sexton,  that  he  had  delivered  the  scull 
of  a  corpse  to  the  house  of  Doctor  Anderson  ;  being  sent  for 
and  interrogated,  he  finally  confessed  that  he  had  taken  a  scull 
out  of  the  burying  yard  and  delivered  it  to  Mr.  Ilagaman, 
student  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Anderson." 

"  Resolved,  That  Van  Sice  without  fail  return  the  scull  to- 
morrow morning  and  deposit  it  in  presence  of  one  of  the  mem- 
bers of  this  board  in  the  place  whence  it  was  taken." 

"  Resolved,  Moreover,  that  said  Van  Sice  be  and  is  hereby 
dismissed  from  his  service  a.s  Sexton." 


*  KerkenRaad  gehouden  desen  len  July,  1696.  Is  geresolveert  dat 
Simon  Groot  d'  oude  voor  het  Klokluyden,  bank  en  stoelen  setten  in  de  kke, 
jaarlyx  uyt  d  inkomsten  der  kke  of  uyt  de  kasse  des  diaconye  jaarlyx  genieten 
sul  de  some  van  60  gl  zeewant  welk  syn  aanvang  desen  len  July  nemen  saL 
Aldus  in  Schenechtade  desen  len  July,  1696. 

+  she  lived  on  the  north  corner  of  Union  and  Church  streets, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  168 

"  26th  Oct.,  1799.  Mr.  Lighthall  was  appointed  Sexton  in 
the  place  of  G.  Van  Sice  removed."  He  continued  in  office  un- 
til 1829,  and  was  succeded  by  John  TenEvck. 

It  would  ai)pear  from  the  following  resolution  of  the  Consis- 
tory, that  it  was  the  duty  of  the  Sexton  to  preserve  order  in 
Church  during  public  worship,  and  it  is  presumed  that  the  ears 
of  not  a  few  of  the  worthy  burgers  of  Schenectady  will  tingle 
as  they  read  this  extract  and  remember  the  faithful  services  of 
those  ancient  worthies  Lighthall  and  Ten  Eyck,  in  carrying  out 
the  behests  of  their  superioi-s. 

"June  8th,  1880,  Resolved,  That  the  Sexton  is  authorized  by 
this  board  to  maintain  due  order  in  Church  during  public  wor- 
ship, and  that  he  shall  be  indemnified  against  any  legal  j)roces8, 
which  may  arise  in  consequence  of  correcting  or  turning  out  of 
church,  the  unruly  and  refractory  ;  provided  he  do  not  essentially 
injure,  or  scandalously  abuse  any  person." 

Funerals. — At  funerals  "no  woman  attended  the  body  to  the 
grave,  but  after  the  corpse  was  borne  out,  remained  to  eat  cakes 
and  drink  spiced  wine.  They  retired  quietly  before  the  men 
returned,  who  resumed  the  feast  and  regaled  themselves.  Spiced 
wine,  and  cakes  and  pies  were  provided,  and  wine  and  cakes 
were  sent  to  the  friends  of  the  family.  The  best  room  in  the 
house  was  specially  appi'ojjriated  as  the  "  dead  room "  and  was 
rarely  opened  but  to  be  aired  and  cleaned.  Wealthy  citizens  in 
anticipation  of  a  death  in  their  families,  were  accustomed  to 
procure  a  cask  of  wine  during  their  lifetime  and  preserved  it  for 
this  purpose."  *  When  the  coffin  was  removed  from  the  house 
it  was  placed  upon  a  bier  at  the  door  and  covered  with  a  pall  of 
black  cloth,  t  The  bier  was  then  borne  upon  the  shouldei's  of 
the  bearers  to  the  grave  followed  only  by  invited  guests.  The 
chief  direction  of  the  funeral  ceremonies  was  taken  by  the  Voor- 
lezer  assisted  by  the  Klokluyer,  and  all  their  charges  were  regu- 
lated by  the  Consistory.  The  following  is  a  list  of  prices  estab- 
lished in  1771.— 


*  Annals  of  Albany  I  129. 

t  The  church  owned  two  palls,  which  were  always  used  on  these  occasions  ; 
for  the  use  of  the  great  pall  3l  charge  was  made  of  three  shillings  ;  for  the  small 
pall  nine  pence. 


16s. 

to  208. 

15s. 

to  10s. 

148. 

to  18s. 

13s. 

to  178. 

8s. 

to  128. 

68. 

to  lOs. 

3s. 

to    7s. 

3s. 

^ 

-9d, 

164  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

"  Rules  for  Cornelis  DeGraaf,  appointed  Sexton  the   18th   of 
November,   1771,  in  regard  to  what  he  is  at  liberty  to  take  for 
inviting  [the  friends]  and  bnrviiig  [the  dead]  : 
"  For  a  person  of  20  years  and  upwards,  - 
F'or  a  person  of  1. 5  to  19  yeare,      -         -         _ 
F'or  a  person  of  10  to  14  years,         _         .         - 
For  a  person  of  5  to  9  years, 
For  a  person  of  1  to  4  years,    -         -         -         - 
For  an  unbaptised  child  [infant]  when  the  bell 
shall  be  rung  once,  -         -         -         -         - 
For  ditto  when  the  bell  shall  not  be  rung;    - 
For  the  Great  Pall,  .         .         -         .         . 

For  the  Little  Pall,      ----- 

All  thus  when  he  is  obliged  to  invite  [the  friends]  within  tlie 
Village ;  but  when  he  likewise  isobliged  to  extend  the  invitations 
without,  he  may  ask  4  shillings  [altered  to  6  shillings]  more 
each  ;  this  is  to  be  understood,  as  far  as  Claas  Viele's,  [upper  end 
of  Maalyck,]  or  this  side ;  but  when  he  is  obliged  to  extend  in- 
vitations further — to  Syme  Vedder's,  [Hoffman's  Ferry,]  or  this 
side — then  he  may  ask  yet  3  shillings  [altered  to  6  shillings] 
more.  The  prices  in  the  above  standing  rules  are  increased  by 
reason  of  the  hard  times." 

"  Regulations  for  Jacobus  Van  Sice,  appointed  grave-digger 
and  bell-ringer  for  the  dead,  on  the  18th  November.  1771,  in 
respect  to  what  he  may  take  for  grave  digging  and  bell-ringing: 
For  a  person  of  7  up  to  and  above  20  years,  for  a  grave,  3  shil- 

linjrs,  and  for  the  bell  3  shillings. 
For  a  child  of  1  to  6  years,  for  the  grave  2  shillings,  and  for  the 

bell  3  shillings. 
P'or  an  unbaptised  child  when  the  bell  shall  be  rung  once,  for  the 

grave  2  shillings,  and  for  the  bell  2  shillings. 
For  tolling  the  bell  he  may  likewise  ask  1  shilling  more. 

The  above  mentioned  Jacobus  Van  Sice  shall,  at  his  own  ex- 
pence,  keep  proper  tools  for  making  and  filling  graves,  likewise 
proper  cords,  &c." 

The  following  is  a  list  of  jiersons  for  whose  burial  the  Church 
Pall  Avas  used  by  Arent  A.  Vedder,  Clerk  and  Sexton  of  the 
Church.  He  was  obliged  to  pay  to  the  Church  three  shillings 
each  time  he  used  the  Pall  for  gi-own  persons  and  nine-pence  for 
small  children  :  — 


HISTORY  OF  THP:  CHURCH. 


165 


Fred.  Reese's  child,  ....  £0-0-9 

Adam  Van  SI yck,  ....  0-3-0 

William  DeGraaf,     ....  0-3-0 

Myndert  A.  Wemple's  child,  .         .  0-9 

Jacob  Van  Guysling,         .         .         .  3-0 

Sister's  child,          ....  0-9 

Abm.  Schermerhorn's  wife,        .         .  3-0 

Catharine  Bradt,  ....  3-0 

Wm.  J.  Schermerhorn's  wife,    .         .  3-0 

A  child  of  Esq.  Wilkie,         .         .  0-9 

Caty  Barhydt,  dau,  of  Jno.  B.    .         .  3-0 

James  Rosa's  wife,         .         .         .  3-0 

Folkey  Swits,     .         .                 .         .  3-0 

a  child  of  Corn.  Van  Antwerp       .  -9 

a  child  of  Saml.  Jones,       ...  -9 

Domeny  Romeyn,           .         .         .  3-0 

Christopher  Ward's  son,    ...  -9 

a  dau.  of  Jno.  R.  Vrooman,  .         .  3-0 

a  child  of  Harm.  Van  Slyck,     .         .  -9 

Nicholas  Van  Patten,    .         .         .  3-0 

a  child  of  Jacob  Van  Antwerp,  .         .  -9 

a  child  of  James  Rose,  ...  -9 

a  child  of  Mr.  Tyms,         ...  -9 

a  child  of  Mrs.  Mackentire,    .         .  -9 

a  child  of  James  Van  Sice,         .         .  -9 

Michael  Tyms,       ....  3-0 

Folkert  Veeder,         ....  3-0 

John  Toll 3-0 

a  child  of  Corn  Bradt,        ...  -9 

Folly  Wemple,      ....  3-0 

Dau.  of  Johannes  Vedder,  .         .         .  3-0 

Andrew  Truax,      ....  3-0 

Christina  Moyston,    ....  3-0 

Joseph  Carley's  child,    ...  -9 


1803,  Sept 

.    8. 

a 

9. 

(k 

22. 

Nov 

7. 

li 

21. 

Dec. 

5. 

(( 

26. 

(( 

31. 

1804,  Jan. 

6. 

a 

22. 

(( 

23. 

li 

24. 

Mar. 

10. 

Apri 

10. 

(( 

u 

(( 

18. 

June 

7. 

(( 

18. 

July, 

9. 

a 

19. 

u 

27. 

Aug. 

4. 

a 

10. 

a 

11. 

11 

25. 

u 

30. 

Sept. 

9. 

li 

12. 

(( 

19. 

11 

25. 

Oct. 

1. 

(( 

3. 

(( 

4. 

(( 

7. 

9.  Alida  Fonda  wife  of  Jacob  F. 

"  a  child  of  Richd.  Waldrum,  . 

10.  a  child  of  Mr.  Williams,    . 

11.  a  child  of  James  Wood, 


£3-8-3 

3-0 

-9 

-9 

-9 


166  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


(( 

21. 

John  S.  Bradt,           .... 

3-0 

Nov 

.  17. 

a  child  of  Nich.  N.  Marselis, 

-9 

Dee. 

12. 

a  child  of  Jno.  Bi)t.  Clute's  wife's  dau 

-9 

1805,  Feb. 

9. 

Malta  Frank's  child, 

-9 

a 

15. 

Abraham  Fonda,       .... 

3-0 

Mar. 

6. 

Susan  Truax,         .... 

3-0 

a 

13. 

Elizabeth  Visger,      .         . 

3-0 

(t 

17. 

Gerardus  Quackenbos'  wife,  . 

3-0 

n 

26. 

John  Vrooman — hermitage, 

3-0 

June 

2. 

Emetje  Veeder, 

3-0 

a 

21. 

Richd.  Waldrum's  wife,    . 

3-0 

July 

13. 

Jno.  Baptist  Van  Eps,  . 

3-0 

(( 

18. 

Andrew  McMartin,  .... 

3-0 

(( 

21. 

John  S.  Bardydt's  wife, 

3-0 

u 

23. 

Jno.  F.  Clute, 

3-0 

li 

24. 

a  child  of  Mr.  Cole, 

-9 

Aug. 

8. 

a  child  of  Mr.  Jno.  C.  Barhydt, 

-9 

k( 

a 

Harmanus  Van  Slyck,    . 

3-0 

(( 

10. 

a  child  of  Rev.  Nich.  Van  Vranken,  . 

-9 

a 

15. 

Jacob  Winne,        .... 

3-0 

It 

17. 

Mr.  Olsaver, 

3-0 

(( 

24. 

Mr.  Carpenter,        .... 

3-0 

Sept. 

5. 

a  child  of  Wm.  II.  Peters, 

-0 

£6-8-0 

Sept. 

12. 

Rykert  Van  Vranken,    . 

3-0 

(( 

IG. 

a  boy  of  Thos.  Clinch, 

-9 

C( 

24. 

Abraham  Groot,     .... 

3-0 

(( 

(( 

a  child  of  Thos.  Clinch,    . 

3-0 

Oct. 

1. 

John  W.  Truax,    .... 

3-0 

(( 

27. 

a  dau.  of  Mr.  Jno.  Mynders, 

3-0 

Nov. 

4. 

a  child  of  Jno.  Lambert, 

-9 

ti 

18. 

Albert  Vedder,          .... 

3-0 

Dec. 

23. 

a  dau.  of  Dav.  Vander  Heyden 

3-0 

£7  10-6 

Wid.  Eve  Bradt  and  son,  . 

6-0 

Myndert  Wemple's  child. 

-9 

Christopher  Ward's  son,    . 

Danl.  Peek — 2ce  the  small  one,      . 

-9 
1-6 

HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  167 


Arent  Van  Antwerp,         .         .         .  3-0 


£8-5-9 
Sarah  Wid.  of  Isaac  Marselis,         .  3-0 


£8  8-9 


Rec'd.  Pay.  19th  Feb.,  1806. 

Prior  to  the  year  1800  there  had  probably  been  no  hearse  in 
the  villaije ;  in  all  funeral  processions  the  bier  and  pall  were 
used ;  hence,  as  it  was  not  convenient  to  carry  the  dead  great 
distances  in  this  manner,  the  people  in  the  country  buried  upon 
their  own  lands. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Consistory  held  April  7th,  1800,  it  was 

"  Resolved,  That  a  herse  be  procured  as  soon  as  convenient 
for  the  use  of  carrying  the  dead  of  this  Congregation  to  the 
burying  ground,  and  also  for  the  use  of  the  public,  under  such 
regulations  as  this  board  shall  afterward  prescribe." 

And  again  December  3d,  1800,  having  obtained  a  hearse  it 
was 

"  Resolved,  That  the  herse  and  harness  be  kept  by  the  Sexton 
in  some  convenient  place  as  near  the  burying  ground  as  possi 
ble,  to  be  provided  by  the  Consistory  ;  and  that  whenever  any 
of  the  citizens  may  want  it,  application  be  made  to  him,  and 
that  it  be  his  duty  to  collect  the  fees."     ***** 

Burial  places. — The  earliest  public  burying  ground  *  in  the 
village  was  on  the  West  side  of  the  first  church  at  the  junction 
of  Church  and  State  streets.  After  this  plot  of  ground  had 
been  used  for  this  purpose  about  60  years  another  was  selected 
without  the  palisades, — the  grave  yard  lying  between  Front  & 
Green  streets. 

In  1705  this  |spot  together  with  all  the  land  lying  west  of  it 
to  the  Fort,  then  covered  with  woods  was  granted  to  Philip 
Schuyler  for  £18  N.  Y.  currency,  or  45  Dollars.  Two  years 
before,  Ryer  Schermerhorn  the  sole  living  patentee  had  granted 

*  It  was  not  uncommon  for  persons  residing  without  the  village  to  bury 
their  dead  upon  their  own  lands  :  Many  of  these  enclosures  are  still  found  on 
the  old  homesteads  along  the  banks  of  the  Mohawk.  The  only  private  bury- 
ing ground  known  to  have  been  within  the  village  was  that  of  Adam  Vrooman. 
This  was  on  his  pasture  lot  on  the  North  side  of  Front  street,  on  lot  now 
numbered  42  ;  its  dimensions  were  46  feet  in  depth  by  gi  feet  in  width. 


168  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

4  morgens  of  wood  land  lying  to  the  Eastward  of  the  present 
burying  grounds    to  Thomas  Williams  of  Albany,  who  conveyed 

it,  Aj)ril  7th,  1700,  to  Arent  Van  Pclten  horn  whom  it  passed 
to  his  son  Frederick. 

The  following  are  abstracts  from  conveyances  of  the  burial 
ground  made  to  the  Church  : — 

AiKnist  1st,  1721.  The  Patentees  of  Schenectady  conveyed 
to  the  Dutch  Church  a  lot,  "  for  a  Christian  burial  place  for  all 
the  Christians  of  the  town  of  Schenectady  and  adjacent  places"  ; 
*  *  #  *  u  lying  Eastward  of  the  fort  of  Schenectady,  the 
South  side  butting  the  roadway  [Green  street]  ojtposite  over 
against  Dirk  Groots'  pasture  ground  160  feet, — on  the  West 
side  240  feet,  and  on  the  East  side  [end]  338  feet  long,  butting 
the  lot  of  Arent  Van  Petten  ;— and  on  the  North  side  [on  Front 
street]  is  195  feet  long."  * 

This  conveyance  was  confirmed  by  another  conveyance  to  the 
Church  made  March  1st,  1733-4,  by  Jan  Werap  and  Arent 
Bradt,  the  surviving  trustees  of  the  Common  lands. 

*****  "A  lot  of  land  and  burial  i)lace  lying  to  the 
eastward  of  His  Majesty,s  fort,  in  Schenectady,  and  on  the  East 
side  of  a  lot  belonging  to  Benjamin  Van  Vleck — being  bounded 
as  follows :  On  the  South  by  a  road  leads  to  Symon  Groot's 
bridge,  f  [Green  Street,]  on  the  North  by  the  road  that  goes  to 
Jellis  Fonda's,  [Front  Street,]  and  on  the  West  by  the  lot  of 
Benjamin  Van  Vleck: — Beginning  from  the  Northeast  corner  of 
the  lot  of  said  Van  Vleck  [on  Front  Street]  and  running  East 
217  feet  to  a  s/ac/c  put  there  unto  tlie  ground  for  a  mark  :  then 
Soutli  330  feet  to  another  stack  jiut  uj)  there  for  a  mark,  [on 
North  side  of  Green  Street];  then  West  155  feet  to  the  South- 
east corner  of  the  Lott  of  Benjamin  Van  Vleck  ;  and  then  North 
along  the  lot  of  said  Van  Vleck  232  feet  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning— all  Amsterdam  measure — for  a  ('hristian  Bnriall  Place  for 
all  Christians  in  the  said  towji  and  jdaces  adjacent  that  are  now, 
or  which  from  time  to  time  and  forever  hereafter  shall  be."  * 

On  the  7th  of  August,  1765,  Frederick  Van  Patten,  for  the 
sum  of  £125,  conveyed  to  the  Church  a  parcel  of  ground  for  an 

*  See  old  deed  among  Church  papers. 

*Svmon  Groot's  bridge  over  Symoifs  kil — now  College  brook  —was  within 
the  yard  of  the  Locomotive  Works,  and  in  a  line  vvith  Pine  Street. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  169 

addition  to  the  East  side  of  the  burial  grounds,  which  parcel  is 
described  as  follows  :  — 

"  All  that  parcel  of  land  on  the  East  side  of  the  town  on  tlie 
South  side  of  a  street  that  conies  out  of  said  town  and  leads  by 
Jacob  Fonday's  to  the  Aelplaas,  *  [Front  street],  and  also  on 
the  North  side  of  a  street  [Green]  that  conies  out  of  said  town 
and  leads  back  of  his  Majestys'  fort  by  the  house  of  Jacobus 
Van  Vorst  and  Jeronimus  Barheydt — being  putted  and  bounded 
as  foUoweth : — On  the  North  the  Highway  leading  by  Jacob 
Fonday's  to  the  Aelplaas  aforesaid  ;  on  the  West  the  Church 
yard  or  burial  place ;  on  the  South  the  Highway  that  leads 
back  of  the  Fort  by  Jacobus  Van  Vorst  aforesaid : — On  the 
East  by  a  lott  of  ground  [which  the  said  Frederic  Van  Petten 
reserves  for  himself]  laid  out  between  the  lott  of  Myndert 
Wemple  and  the  here  in  above  recited  land,  which  lot  is  to  con- 
tain in  front  along  said  street  [Green]  fifty  feet  and  in  rare  [rear] 
along  the  lot  of  Zeger  Van  Santfort  53  feet  all  woodineasure, 
and  the  above  rented  ground  is  also  bounded  on  the  East  by  a 
lot  of  ground  heretofore  sold  to  Zeger  Van  Santfort."  t 

A  great  majority  of  the  people  buried  their  dead  in  the 
common  burying  ground,  but  for  those  who  coveted  the  honor 
or  sanctity  of  a  grave  in  the  church,  this  privilege  could  be 
bought  for  about  twenty  times  the  price  of  a  common  grave. 
The  following  were  the  rules  for  burying  the  dead  in  the  Church 
in  1759  : 

For  persons  of  twelve  years  old  and  ujjwjirds  there  shall  be 
paid  three  pounds.  For  graves  of  ciiildren  of  four  years  to 
twelve,  forty  shillings.  And  for  the  grave  of  a  young  child  up 
to  four  years  of  age,  four  &  twenty  shillings.  \ 

Monuments — No  head  stones  are  found  at  the  graves  of  the 
first  settlers ;  the  graver's  art  did  not  then  exist  among  them 
and  the  marble  and  granite  had  not  then  been  quarried. 

*  The  Aelplaas  was  above  the  State  dam  at  the  Aqueduct. 

t  It  is  believed  that  this  lot  of  Zeger  Van  Santvoord,  fronting  on  P'ront  St. 
was  subsequently  acquired  by  the  Church  and  added  to  the  burial  ground. 

— See  church  papers. 

X  Ke£jelatie  voor  Grafien  in  de  kerck  van  Dooden  als  Volght : — Van  Tvvalf 
Jaaren  out  tot  dat  sy  out  syn  sullen  daar  Voor  Betalea  Drie  Pont, — En  voor 
de  Graften  van  kinderen  van  vier  Jaar  out  Tot  Twalf  Jaaren  out  Veertigh 
Schellinge, — En  voor  Een  graft  van  En  Jonck  kint  Tot  vier  Jaaren  out  vier 
en  Twentigh  Schellinge. 

22 


170  HISTORY  OP^  THE  CHURCH. 

The  oldest  gravestone  foiiiKl  in  the  city  was  a  few  years  since 
taken  from  a  cellar  wall  into  wliich  it  had  been  built,  having 
been  used  evidently  as  a  whetstone  many  years  after  it  had 
served  the  purjjose  of  a  funeral  monument.  It  was  a  fragment 
of  the  blue  stone,  found  in  the  quarries  East  of  the  City  ;  its 
dimensions  were  fourteen  by  seven  inches  and  four  inches  thick 
and  bore  the  following  inscription  rudely  and  slightly  cut :  — 

Anno  1C90 

Den  XX8  May 

is  myn  soon  in  den 

Here  gerust 

Hendrick  Jansen 

Vrooman. 

Jan  Vrooman. 

[Translation.]     "On  the  28th  of  May,  in  the  year  1690,   my 

son,  Hendrick  Vrooman,  rested  in  the  Lord.     Jan  Vrooman." 

The  oldest  grave  stone  in  the  Church  burying  ground  was  set 
up  in  1722,  and  is  of  the  same  material  as  the  above  mentioned 
stone. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


ENDOWMENTS. 


Probably  no  church  in  the  State,  outside  of  the  city  of  New 
York,  was  so  munificently  endowed  as  that  of  Schenectady.  In 
1740  she  owned  fully  12  square  miles  of  land  in  this  county, 
which,  had  it  been  conveyed  l)y  long  leases  and  not  in  fee, 
would  have  been  worth  to  her  now  from  $300,000  to  $500,000. 
All  this  magnificent  estate  has  passed  away,  and  fortunately  at 
this  time  she  possesses  barely  a  fine  house  of  worship  and  the 
lot  upon  which  it  stands.  I  say  fortunately,  for  it  seldom  hap- 
pens that  great  wealth  in  a  church  conduces  to  growth  of  piety 
among  her  members. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  171 

Several  reasons  may  be  assigned  for  the  dissipation  of  this 
large  property.  Inasmuch  as  the  pew  rents  covered  but  a  small 
part  of  the  current  expenses  of  the  church,  this  deficiency  was 
supplied  from  time  to  time  by  the  sales  of  the  patent  lands, 
w^hich  were  held  of  little  account  except  for  pasturage  and  tim- 
ber and  were  sold  therefore  at  a  low  figure,  ^loreover,  if  tra- 
dition be  correct,  large  portions  also  of  this  fair  domain  were 
frittered  away  in  gifts  to  the  relatives  and  friends  of  influential 
members  of  the  congregation,  under  cover  of  conveyances,  with 
a  mere  nominal  consideration.  Only  a  brief  description  can  be 
given  here  of  the  chief  pieces  of  real  estate  that  have  been 
owned  by  this  church. 

1.  Church  sites. — The  first  in  order  of  time  was  the  old  site 
at  the  junction  of  Church  and  State  streets.  It  must  have  been 
reserved  for  this  ]jur}>ose  from  the  first  laying  out  of  the  village, 
before  the  year  1664,  w^hich  accounts  for  the  great  width  of 
Church  street.  Its  dimensions  North  and  South  were  56  feet, 
East  and  West  46  feet,  Amsterdam  measure,  together  with  a 
strip  of  15  feet  wide  upon  the  West  side  for  a  burying  ground. 
Subsequently  it  was  extended  South  84  feet  towards  the  creek — 
the  rear  line  being  44^  feet.  *  On  this  extension  now  stands  the 
house  w^hich  belonged  to  the  late  Gerardus  Q.  Carley. 

After  having  been  used  for  various  public  purposes  the  Con- 
sistory resolved,  in  1785,  to  build  their  new  Academy  upon  it  ; 
afterwards,  to  erect  a  dwelling  house  upon  it ;  and  finally  to 
convey  it  to  Arent  S.  Vedder  for  the  same  purpose.  But  all 
these  projects  failed  because  it  was  manifestly  unsuitable  for  a 
building  site  (saving  the  rear  on  Mill  Creek)  and  especially  that 
portion  which  had  been  used  for  more  than  50  years  as  a  village 
burial  ground. 

Finally  when  the  Church  began  their  new  House  of  Worship, 
in  1812,   the  Consistory  resolved  to  sell  this  lot  together  with 

*  About  fifty  years  after  the  village  was  laid  out  the  church  first  received  a 
formal  conveyance  of  their  House  of  Worship  and  lot  from  the  Patentees  of 
Schenectady.  This  is  dated  3d  October,  17 15,  and  on  the  back  is  this  en- 
dorsement made  doubtless  at  a  later  daty  : 

"  Wood  measure  "  [11  inches  to  the  foot.] 

"The  front  is  60  [feet] 

* '  behind  44^ 

"  Deph  140 


172  HISTOIJY  OF  TH?:  CHURCH. 

their  other  church  site  at  the  junction  of  Church  and  Union 
Streets  to  the  City  for  200  acres  of  land,  worth  at  least  SlO  an 
acre ;  "  Provided  that  these  two  lots  shall  never  be  used  for 
private  purposes,  but  left  open  in  the  street  for  public  conven- 
ience." 

2.  De  Arme  Weij  or  Poor  Pasture. — Of  all  the  ample  domains 
of  the  Church  De  Arme  wey  was  the  longest  held  and  the  last 
sold.  The  title  deeds  of  this  ]iroperty  are  lost  if  any  ever  ex- 
isted ;  even  tradition  is  at  fault,  and  the  donor's  true  name  has 
utterly  perished  from  the  reincnibrance  of  those  who  have  been 
benetitted  by  it. 

The  story  has  been  told  that  Jan  IJinckliout  gave  this  property 
to  the  church  reserving  simply  '^  a  small  spot  on  which  he  erect- 
ed a  hut  i)artly  under  ground,"  and  there  lived  a  hermit  life. 

Rinckhout  was  a  baker  in  Albany,  but  about  1670  removed  to 
Schenectady,  having  leased  his  lunise  and  bakery  to  Antony 
Lespinard,  "with  i)rivilege  of  baking  for  Christians  and  sav- 
ages." He  was  living  in  Schenectady  as  late  as  1704.  when  his 
son,  Jurriaen,  dying,  made  provision  in  his  will  that  his  wife,  six 
children  and  father,  Jan,  should  be  maintained  out  of  his  real 
and  ])ersonal  estate  here  and  in  New  York.  It  is  certain  that 
the  Church  owned  De  Arme  Wey  seventeen  years  prior  to  this 
date.  These  facts  therefore  render  it  quite  improbable  that  Jan 
Rinckhout  was  the  donor. 

Discarding  tradition  and  romance  the  evidence  is  clear  that 
the  true  benefactor  of  "the  poor  of  Schenectady"  was  Hans 
Janse  Eencluys,  an  ancient  servant  and  soldier  of  the  Dutch 
West  India  Company.  He  early  came  to  New  Netherland,and 
was  sent  by  Governor  Van  Twiller,  in  1632,  to  erect  the  arms 
of  the  States  General  at  a  sjtot  called  Kievits  Hoeh  [Saybrook] 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Connecticut  river. 

On  the  occasion  of  Governor  Stuy  vesant's  visit  to  Rensselaer- 
swyck,  in  1648;  he  was  employed  to  clean  the  Heer  Patroon's 
cannons  and  to  tire  the  salutes.  As  early  as  1668  he  was  an  In-, 
habitant  of  Schenectady,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his 
death,  in  1683,  after  which  event  the  Deacons  of  the  Church, 
Johannes  Pootman  and  Sweer  Tf  unis  Van  Velsen,  petitioned 
the  Court  of  Albany  for  authority  to  administer  upon  his  estate, 
saying  that  on  the  7th  day  of  March,  1 674-5,  he  [Ilans  Janse 
Eenkluys]  had  made  over  to  the  poor  of  Schenectady  his  plan- 


HISTORY  OF  TTTE  niT^JCTT.  173 

tation,  upon  condition  that  he  should  be  maintained  in  his  old 
age  and  weakness,  and  that  on  the  2nd  of  iMay,  1()80,  he  had 
made  the  Deacons  of  tlie  Church  administrators  of  his  whole 
estate.  They  aver,  also,  that  thirteen  years  ago  [1670]  he  be- 
gan to  be  very  weak,  that  they  had  given  him  sujjport  while 
living  and  had  paid  the  expenses  of  his  funeral. 

This  petition  to  the  court  of   Albany — the  only  clue  to  the 
Church's  title  to  this  valuable  property — is  as  follows  :  — 

Aende  E.  Achtbr  Heeren 

Commissarissen  Van  Albany 
Colonic  rensselaersw  :  etc. 
Verthoonth  met  behoorelyke  reuerentie  Johannes   Pootraan 
ende  Sweer  Theunissen  diaconen  van  Schaenhechtade,  hoe  dat 
eenen  Hans  Janssen  op  den  7  meert  1674-5  heeft  ouergedraesjen 
aende  aermen  van  Schaenhechtade  zeecke  zyne  plantage  raede 
gelegen    aen    Schaenhechtade  onder  conditie  dat  hy  in  zynen 
ouderdom  ende  Swackheyt  daer  voor  zoude  onderhouden  werd- 
den,  blyckende  by  zyne  handt  teeckeninge  op  Dato  Yoor  de  het 
is  nu  soe  dat  de  supplianten  Voor  (kc  den  seluen   eenigen  tydt 
Volgens  zyne  Valmacht  in  den  dato  den  2  May,   1680,  onder- 
houdt  hebben  gegeuen,  ende  mitsgaders  zyne  begraeftenisse  be- 
kosticht,  ende  dat  op  den  thoon  beginnento  Koraen  seer  Swacke 
reckeningen     wel  Van   dertien  Jaeren  geleden,  d'  welcke   den 
supplianten  doet  bedencken  hierinne  niet  to  administeeren  Son- 
der  TIE.  Achtbr  notitie  Versoeckende  derhaluen  hieriinie  to  mo- 
den    genieten   het  beste  benefitien   Voor  den   aeinien   Volgens 
zyne  begeerte  waerop  haer  Verlaeten  blyuen 
UE.  Achtbr  diensten 
onderdaenen 

Johannes  Pootman 

Sweer  thoonissen  Van  Velseii.  * 
[Endorsed  upon  this  paper  is  the  following  :  ] 
Haer  E  vand  Gerechte  Ravvoyerden  C  Supplianten  aen  D 
Commiss.  Van  Shinnechtady.     Actum  in  Albany  op  den  1  May, 
1683. 

Pr.  Cur. 

Pet.   Livingston,  Seer, 
request  voor  de  Diaconen  van  Schaenhechtade. 

*  See  Church  papers. 


174  HISTOTJY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

This  Plantation  is  first  mentioned  in  the  Church  books  in 
1687,  when  it  was  leased  to  Symen  Groot,  Barent  Wemp  and 
Gysbert  Gerritse  Van  Brakel  for  82  guilders  ($32.80)  per  an. 
The  rent  was  paid  chii'Hy  in  wheat  at  five  skipples  tlie  beaver,  or 
80  cents  a  bushel.  About  this  time  it  becjan  to  be  called  Z>e  Wey, 
Hans  Janse's  Wey,  and  Be  Arme  Wey. 

In  1742-8  it  was  leased  to  Gillis  Fonda  for  £19-7  (48.38). 

To  Cornelis  DeGraaf  it  was  leased  in  1781  for  £36,  or  $90. 
1784  for  £48,  or  $120.     1785  for  £40,  or  $100. 

1789  to  Jacob  Fonda  for  £48,  or  $120. 

The  Poor  Pasture,  *  in  its  original  condition,  consisted  of 
Eighteen  raorgens  (about  36  acres)  of  the  finest  Mohawk  flats, 
and  was  bounded  by  the  river  on  the  North,  the  River  road  (a 
continuation  of  Front  Street)  on  the  South,  the  "  Fonda  Place  " 
on  the  West,  and  the  ''  Hansen  kil  "  (now  College  brook)  on  the 
East,  by  which  it  was  separated  from  the  Bof/ht.  This  latter 
parcel  of  land,  consisting  of  16  acres,  was  purchased  of  Harmanus 
Van  Slyck,  in  1806.  for  $1,750. 

Several  attempts  were  formerly  made  by  the  Church  to  dis- 
pose of  this  property  but  without  success. 

In  1795  the  Consistory  "  Resolved  to  sell  the  Arme  Wiy  for 
not  less  than  £800,  ($2,000),  at  which  price  no  purchaser  was 
found;  but  in  1863  it  was  disposed  of,  including  the  Boght,  at 
auction  for  about  $11,000,  and  the  avails  were  mingled  with  the 
general  funds  of  the  church. 

Thus  passed  away  Eenkluys'  gift  "  to  the  poor  of  Sche- 
nectady," after  having  been  in  the  possession  of  the  Church 
nearly  190  years.  Long  ago  the  old  soldier's  name  was  forgot- 
ten, but  the  results  of  his  benefaction  are  j>eri)etuated  to  this 
day;  not  indeed  in  the  direction  wliich  \\v,  liad  indicated,  but  in 
that  beautiful  structure  lately  dedicated  as  a  house  of  worship. 
Among  the  honored  names  there  emblazoned  and  curiously 
carved  is  there  no  room  for  that  of  Hanse  Jar.se  Eenkluys  ? 


*  A  memorandum  made  by  Do.  Van  Santvoord  makes  mention  of  the  con- 
veyance of  The  Pasture  by  Gov.  Lovelace  (^Grondbrief  van  dc  lucide  by  Gov. 
Lovelace)  as  among  the  important  papers  of  the  Church.  This  was  probably 
the  Governor's  patent  to  Eenkluys,  and  must  have  been  dated  about  1670.  It 
i  s  no  longer  among  the  church  papers. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  ITo 


3.  Church  Mill  and  Mill  Pasture. — This  fine  property,  the  be- 
quest of  Sweer  Teunise  Van  Velsen,  {alias  Van  Westbrook,)  the 
town  miller,  consisted  of  six  acres  of  land,  bounded  Northerly  by 
State  Street,  Southerly  by  the  Sand  kil,  (latterly  called  Mill 
Creek),  Easterly  by  Dock  Street,  and  Westerly  by  the  lot  of 
Douwe  Aukes  Defreeze,  whicli  latter  lot,  140  feet  front  on  State 
Street,  (Amsterdam  measure),  was  on  the  Westerly  corner  of 
mill  lane  and  State  Street,  opposite  the  late  Schenectady  Bank 
building. 

Defreeze  was  an  inn  keeper,  and  next  East  of  his  lot  probably 
stood  Van  Velsen's  house,  his  grist  mill  being  in  the  rear  on  the 
Creek.  Both  houses  were  burned  in  the  massacre  of  1690  by 
the  French  and  Indians,  at  which  time  Sweer  Tennis  with  his 
wife  Maritie  Mynderse  perished  in  the  flames.  As  he  left  no 
heirs  his  property  passed  to  the  children  of  his  wife  by  her  first 
husband,  Jan  Barentse  Wcmp.  It  was  understood,  however, 
before  his  death, that  he  had  made  a  will  devising  the  half  or 
third  of  his  estate  to  the  Church  ;  but  no  such  instrument  was 
ever  found.  Nevertheless  his  step-children,  to  carry  out  his 
wishes,  released  to  the  Church  the  Mill  and  six  acres  of  land 
above  described. 

The  Church  took  possession  of  this  property  soon  after  Van 
Velsen's  death,  and  within  about  thirty  years  disposed  of  the  en- 
tire front  upon  State  Street  for  building  lots. 

That  portion  between   Ferry  and   Dock  streets   was   divided 

into  ten  parcels  vai'ying   in   width  from  45  to  53   feet   (Amst. 

meas.).     The  lowland  in  the  rear  called  the  Chureh  parture  was 

retained  until  18 — ,  when  it  was  sold  to  Archibald  Craig  and    * 
*     *     *     * 

The  Church  Mill  stood  upon,  or  near  the  site  of  the  old  brick 
mill  now  standing  in  Mill  Lane.  It  was  usually  leased  for 
about  £50  New  York  Currency.  After  holding  it  for  120  years 
the  Church  sold  it  in  1800  to  David  Burt  and  John  J.  Peek  for 
$2570.  In  1813  it  was  turned  into  a  Cotton  Mill  by  Dr.  Archi- 
bald Craig,  who  built  the  present  brick  building. 

4.  The  Sixth  Flat.— On  the  20th  May  1714,  Ryer  Schermer- 
horn,  the  only  surviving  Patentee  of  Schenectady,  conveyed  to 
the  Dutch  Church, — '-  A  lot  of  land  on  the  North  side  of  the 
Mohawk  river  about  7  miles  above  Schenectady,  called  the 
Sixth  Flat,  containing  about  seven  morgens  or  fourteen  acres ;  " 


176  HISTORY  OF  THE  CIIURCII. 

— "Also  10  raorgeiis,  or  20  acres  of  Wood  land  behind  said 
Sixth  flat  and  so  going  up  to  a  creek  called  by  the  Indians 
ToggutclKTo, — in  English  named  "Color  Creek  [in  Dutch 
VerfkW],  at  the  East  end  of  the  "  Seventli  flat,"  and  so  on  North 
behind  the  said  Flat  into  the  woods  as  far  as  the  bounds  of  the 
said  town." 

From  a  petition  presented  to  the  Trustees  of  the  town,  on  the 
16th  January,  1716,  by  Jacobus  Van  ])yck,  in  behalf  of  the  Con- 
sistory, it  appears  that  these  parcels  of  land  had  been  purchased, 
but  an  account  of  pressing  debts  and  urgent  need  they  are  asked 
to  remit  the  purchase  money.  How  long  the  Church  retained 
this  farm  and  how  or  when  they  dis})Osed  of  it  is  not  known.  * 

5.  On  the  25th  January,  1715,  the  trustees  of  Schenectady 
conveyed  to  the  Dutch  Church  a  piece  of  woodland,  "  in  the 
East  end  of  the  town,  bounded  North  by  the  highway,  [river 
road  to  the  Aqueduct  ] — South  by  the  common  woods  ;  West 
by  the  wood  land  of  heirs  of  Hendrick  lirouwer,  and  East  by 
the  land  of  Claas  and  Tjerk  Fransen  [Van  de  Bogart].  This 
land  lay  o])posite  to  and  this  side  of  the,  lower,  (late  Freeman's) 
bridge  on  the  river  road  and  was  still  in  possession  of  the  Church 
in  1734.     How  or  when  it  M'as  disposed  of  is  not  known. 

6.  Leases. — The  Patentees  and  Trustees  of  Schenectady 
usually  conveyed  the  common  lands  by  perpetual  leases,  reserv- 
ino-  a  small  quit  rent  either  in  money  or  more  commonly  in 
wheat. 

On  the  6th  day  of  October,  1716,  Ryer  Schermerhorn,  Jan 
Wemp,  Johannes  Teller,  Arent  Bradt  and  Barent  Wemp,  the 
Patentees  of  the  town,  assigned  to  the  Church,  all  the  leases 
which  they  then  possessed,  conditioned  that  the  Consistory 
should  pay  the  annual  quitrent  of  40  bushels  of  wheat  due  to  the 
Province  of  New  York. 

The  number  and  value  of  these  leases  does  not  appear. 

Again  on  the  30th  of  December,  1747,  Jan  Wemp  and  Arent 
Bradt,  then  the  only  suiTviving  Patentees,  assigned  another 
batch  of  29  leases  "  for  the  behoof  of  the  Church  Wardens  "  ; 
and  on  the  26th  of  May,  1750,  Pieter  Felinck,  the  village  school- 
master, made  out  a  list  of  all  the  leases  then  belonging  to  the 
Church,   with  the  amounts  due  yearly  on   each.      They  were 

*  See  Church  papers. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  177 

found  to  be  46  in  number,  on  which  the  rents   amounted  to  95 
skipplos  of  wheat,,  £3  2-9  in  money  and  20  boards.  * 

7.  The  Burial  Lot. — As  has  been  before  stated  the  earliest 
burial  place  used  by  the  founders  of  Schenectady  was  on  the 
West  side  of  the  old  Church  at  the  junction  of  State  &  Church 
streets.  Some  were  buried  under  the  Church,  esj)ecially  such  as 
could  afford  to  pay  for  this  privilege. 

The  first  mention  made  of  the  present  burying  ground  be- 
tween Front  &  Green  streets  is  in  the  deed  of  this  plat  given  by 
Patentees  of  the  town  to  the  Church,  dated  August  1st,  1721.  f 

8.  A  lot  of  ground  "  to  the  Northeast  of  the  town  and  lying 
at  the  Northwest  corner  of  Cornells  Slingerland's  land  upon  the 
East  side  of  Barent  Vrooman's  land,  tfec.  This  parcel  was  proba- 
bly on  the  Kalleberg  road. 

9.  Tke  Princetown  Patent  so  called. — This  property  consisting 
of  3870  acres  exclusive  of  roads  and  500  acres  heretofore  granted 
to  Arent  Van  Petten  and  Jan  Dellamont,  was  first  surveyed  and 
laid  out  for  James  DeLaucey  and  John  Chambers,  who  on  the 
7th  November,  1737,  released  their  claim  to  Arent  Bratt  and 
Jan  Werap,  patentees  of  Schenectady. 

Under  date  of  the  16th  of  December,  1737,  Bratt  and  Wemp 
received  a  patent  for  this  tract,  which  was  described  as  "  begin- 
ning at  the  South  west  corner  of  the  township  of  Schenectady 
and  runs  thence  along  the  bounds  of  said  township  South  40° 
East  296  chains,  and  South  55°  30'  East  149  chains,  and  South 
74°  15'  East  32  chains,  then  West  343  chains,  then  North  322 
chains  to  the  place  of  beginning." 

On  the  27th  day  of  December  the  Elders  and  Deacons  give  a 
contract  to  said  Bratt  &  Wemp,  in  which  they  promise  to  give 
a  bond  to  pay  them  £500  for  the  above  land  and  quitrent 
reserved  on  the  same  of  2-6  the  100  acres,  within  14  days  after 
they  shall  have  received  their  new  Church  seal  according  to 
charter.  \ 

10.  Tke  yiskayuna  Patent. — This  tract  lay  to  the  East  and 
South  of  the  Schenectady  patent  and  extended  from  the  Ael 
Plaats  South  to  the  North  line  of  the  Manor  of  Rensselaerswyck 

*  See  Appendix  E. 

+  For  a  description  of  this  parcel  of  ground  see  Chapter  XIII. 

X  Groote  Schuld  Boek. 

23 


178  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

In  1711  Capt.  Pliilii)  Schuyler  of  Sc.lieiiectady  purchased  these 
lauds  of  the  Iiuliaiis,  and  in  172:3  obtained  a  warrant  for  the 
survey  of  the  same,  but  the  justices  of  Schenectady  objecting,  he 
failed  to  obtain  a  Patent,  because  they  were  needed  by  th«'  in- 
habitants "for  a  common  or  drift  for  cattle  and  for  firewood." 
Again  in  1738  Wouter  Vrooman  purciiased  a  portion  of  this 
tract  for  "  thue  blankets  of  strouds  and  three  pairs  of  stockings," 
but  failed  of  getting  a  cojiveyance  from  the  Governor  on  ac- 
count of  the  opposition  of  the  citizens.  * 

On  the  5th  of  August,  1738,  a  patcnj  was  obtained  for  this 
land  by  Arent  Bradt  and  Jacob  Glen  in  trust  for  the  Reformed 
Protestant  Dutch  Church  of  Schenectady  :  it  was  then  estimated 
to  contain  2,500  acres,  but  owing  to  an  error  in  measurement 
rectified  in  1788,  fell  considerably  short  of  that  amount,  t 

The  "West  line  of  this  church  patent  was  the  East  line  of  the 
Schenectady  patent,  the  starting  point  for  which  line  at  the  Ael- 
Plaats  had  been  fixed  by  the  citizens  at  the  mouth  of  Jan  de 
Luggers  kil.  %  The  Consistory  claimed  &  rightly  too,  that  this 
point  should  be  at  the  mouth  of  the  Ael-pbiats  kil,  thus  claiming 
a  strip  of  land  from  the  East  bounds  of  the  town,  of  more  than 
1200  acres.  This  controversy  was  finally  determined  in  favor 
of  the  Church  and  Arent  Bratt,  only  surviving  Patentee  of  the 
town  on  February  5th,  1754,  gave  them  a  deed  of  Conveyance 
of  the  pro])erty.  The  whole  number  of  acres  conveyed  to  the 
Church  by  these  conveyances  was  3,621. 

11.  It  appears  also  from  a  memorandum  on  the  cover  of  the 
old  C'hurch  Ledger,  of  dates  1790  &  1801,  that  the  Consistory 
owned  lots  Nos.  18  and  20  of  200  acres  each  in  Vrooman 's 
Patent  North  of  Jersevfield. 


*  Land  papers,  XII.  99,  123. 

+  The  cost  of  this  patent  was  ;^l3o-8,  as  appears  by  the  following  entry  in 
the  Church  Ledger  :  — 

+  Voor  de  patent  tuse  ottse  Nistagioene  en  de  patrons  lyn  all  de  coste  £\Tp'%. 

X  Jan  De  Lagger''s  kil  is  a  small  brook  or  rill  emptying  into  the  Mohawk 
river  from  the  North  side  near  the  Aqueduct  and  many  rods  Easterly  from  the 
Ael-plaats  kil ;  by  assuming  this  as  the  starting  point  of  the  South  Easterly 
line  of  the  town  patent  the  area  of  the  town  lands  was  increased  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  Church,  whose  lands  adjoined  them  on  the  South  East. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  179 


CHAPTER  XV. 


FINANCES. 


In  early  times  the  Dutch  churches  often  acted  as  guardians  of 
widows  and  orphans ;  they  provided  for  the  poor  and  kindly 
looked  after  the  aged  and  infirm,  who  had  no  natural  protectors ; 
and  it  was  not  unusual  for  the  latter  to  ])lace  tlieir  ])roperty  in 
the  hands  of  the  Consistory  from  whom  they  received  from  time 
to  time  such  support  as  their  wants  required.  The  Consistory 
were  the  Almoners  of  the  Church  ;  every  Lords  day  a  collection 
was  taken  of  the  free  will  offerings  of  the  j)eople  for  this  and 
certain  other  purposes,  and  this  duty  was  not  omitted  even 
though  there  were  no  present  objects  upon  whom  their  Lounty 
might  be  bestowed. 

In  the  outset  the  little  community  of  Schenectady  seems  to 
have  had  few  or  no  poor  people  ;  with  the  exception  of  a  ''  shirt 
for  a  captive  Frenchman  "  it  does  not  appear  from  the  accounts 
that  the  Deacons  gave  a  stiver  to  any  person  dui-ing  the  years 
1687-9.  As  the  funds  accumulated  tiiey  were  loaned  on  bond 
at  6%  interest  to  citizens.  Thus  in  the  audit  of  1689  obligations 
to  the  amount  of  nearly  3,000  guilders  were  included  in  the 
assets  of  the  Church.  Moreover  the  Consistory  traded  with 
another  portion  of  these  funds,  buying  and  selling  brass  kettles, 
nails,  linen,  thread,  baize,  coverlets,  &g.  This  seeming  perver- 
sion of  the  fun<ls  given  for  a  more  sacred  purpose  was  simply 
a  temporary  necessity  of  the  times  and  ceased  altogether  when 
private  enterprize  provided  for  the  wants  of  the  people. 

Among  the  permanent  sources  of  income,  were  de  wey  or 
"Poor  Pasture",  originally  given  by  Hans  Janse  P^enklnys  "for 
the  poor  of  Schenectady"  ; — the  Church  Mill  and  Mill  pasture 
given  by  Sweer  Teunise  Van  Velsen  ; — leases  received  from  the 
Trustees  of  the  town  *  ; — seat  rents  and  burial  fees. 

Besides  the  payment  of  the  Domine's  salary  and  the  Voor- 
lezer  tfe   Klokluyer's  Stipends,  out  of  these  funds  the  bread  and 

*  See  Appendix  E. 


180  HISTORY  OF  THE  CIirRCII. 

wine  and  sacred  utensils  for  tlie  Lord's  Sti))j)er  were  purcliased ; 
the  Church  was  cleaned,  and  iiK-idciital  repairs  to  the  Parsonage 
were  made,  such  as  lc'"'^^  '"'"  windows.  j)osts,  nails,  etc.,  for  the 
fence.  * 

A  knowledge  of  the  domestic  habits  and  Church  customs  of  a 
people  is  most  difficult  to  be  learned  after  a  lapse  of  two  cen- 
turies ; — even  uncommon  events  were  seldom  recorded,  how 
much  less  likely  then  that  social  manners  and  every  day  occur- 
rences should  become  matter  of  history.  Particularly  unfortu- 
nate has  it  been  for  Schenectady  that  the  flames  of  1690  spared 
almost  nothing  of  her  early  records  : — with  the  excei)tion  of  a 
few  leaves  of  the  Deacons'  account  book  all  is  blank. 

As  something  however  may  be  learned  even  from  such 
unpromising  materials  as  these,  both  in  i-espect  to  the  customs 
and  finances  of  the  Church,  the  following  extracts  are  subjoined: 

During  the  year  1686-7   the  Church  accounts  were  kept  by 
Deacon  Johannes  Sanderse  Glen  and  are  quite  legible. 
[Translation.] 
1686,  20th  Oct.     Jan  Brouwer,  Dr. 
to  14  ells  of  linnen  @  7  ells  the  beaver  f    ...         16  gl. 

Maria  Klein,  Dr. 
ditto  to  6  ells  of  linnen  @  7  ells  the  beaver,         .         .  6-8 

to  a  coverlet  @  10  guild. f.  10-0 

to  6  ells  baize,    ........  8- 

to  4  lbs.  nails,  .......  2. 

to  7  ells  linen  @  7  ells  the  beav.  .         .         .         .  8. 

to  2  skeins  thread,  .......  0-5 


*  1735  By  een  predicatie  Bock.     £\-^-o. 

1777  December,  the  Church  paid  "  Vooreen  gifte  aan  afgebrande  menschen 
van  deseplaats." 

13th  September,  1794  Bey  Cassa  voor  een  groten  Engelsen  Beybel. 

5th  September,  181 5,  The  Consistory  resolve  to  refund  to  the  deacons 
enough  to  buy  4  silver  mugs  and  one  metal  flaggon.  [The  present  Com- 
munion service  W.  E.  G.  ]. 

—Church,  acct.   book. 

t  The  guilder,  or  florin,  beaver  was  worth  about  38  or  40  cts.  —the  guilder 
seewant,  or  wampum,  was  equal  to  one  shilling  N.  Y.  Currency  or  one-third 
of  the  former  ; — the  beaver  skin  being  considered  the  specie  of  the  Province. 
These  accounts  are  kept  in  guilders  &  stivers,  partly  seewant  and  partly 
beaver. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  181 

15th  Septem.     Johannes  Potman,  Cr. 
11  (lays  work  on  the  church  @  7  guiklers  a  day,     .  25 

ditto  Isaac  de  Trieux  [Truax.] 
to  6  lbs.  nails,         .......  3- 

20th  Nov.     Adam  Vrooman,  Dr. 
to  9  lbs.  nails,  seawant,  14,      ....  .  4. 

to  2  lbs.  nails,  beaver,         ......  1. 

ditto  Sander  Glen,  Dr. 
to  9  lbs.  nails,     ........  4. 

1686,  30th  Sept.     Johannes  Glenn,  Dr. 
to  42  lbs.  nails  @  20  lbs.  pr.  beaver,  .         .         .         .  17- 

to  34  lbs.  nails  @  20  lbs.  pr.  beaver,         .         .         .  13-15 

to  skiples  of  wheat,     ....... 

1689j  30th  Oct.     Cr. 
2  beavers  in  silver  money   ......  16- 

one  beaver,     ........  8. 

also  by  settlement,      .......  6-15 

8th  Oct.     Domine  Thesschenmaecker,  Dr. 
to  14  ells  of  linnen  @  7  ells  pr.  beaver,  .  .  .  16- 

Walter  Vrooman,  Cr. 
for  a  place  [seat]  for  his  wife,*  .         .         .         .         .  36- 

ditto  Barent  Wemp,  Di-. 
to  14  ells  of  linnen  @  7  ells  pr.  beaver,  .  .  .  16- 

1689,  Oct.     Cr. 
2  beavers  in  silver,      .......  16- 

ditto  Sweer  Teunisse  [Van  Velsen],  f  Dr. 
to  14  ells  linnen  @  7  ells  per  beav.       .         .         .         .  16- 

to  7  ells  linnen  fetched  by  his  maid  Jannetie,  .  8. 

Nov.  1.     Cr. 
to  silver  f.  26.-  beaver;  ......  26. 

10th  Oct.     Daniel  Janse  Van  Antwerpen,  Dr. 
to  26  ells  linnen  @  7  ells  pr.  beaver,       .         .         .  29-15 

1688,  20th  Aug.     Cr. 

to  89-5  sewant, 29-15 

1686,  10th  Oct.  Abraham  Groot,  Dr. 
to  14  ell,  linnen  @  7  ells  beav.  ....  16- 


*  It  would  seem  from  this  that  a  single  seat  in  the  church  at  this    time    cost 
36  gl.,  or  $4.50. 

tThe  town  miller,  killed  in  the  massacre  of  1690. 


182  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

1688.     Cr. 
two  beavers  by  Barent  Jaiise  [Ditniars]  on  a  reckon- 
ing of  Domine  Thesschenmaecker,      .         .         .  16- 
tlitto.  Andries  Arentse  [Bradt]  Dr. 

to  n^ells  linnen  @  7  ells  |)r.  beav 20. 

ditto.  Jan  Van  Rotterdam,  Dr. 
to  12  guilders  seawant  in  an  action  which  he  had  with 

Hendrick  ^leese  [Yroomaii],        ....  4- 

6th  Mar.  to  12  guilders  seewant  in  the  contest  which 

he  had  with  Hendrick  Lammerse,        ...  4- 

ditto.     Hendrick  Lammerse,  Dr. 
to  12  guilders  seewant  in  the  contest  which  he  had 
with  Rotterdam,  *...... 

10th  Oct.    The  Comramissaries.  f  Dr. 

to  20  lbs.  nails, f.  8. 

Account  of  Sales. 

10  lbs.  nails, 4- 

40  lbs.  nails  sewant,        ......  40- 

1^  ells  linnen,      ........  5-3 

8  skeins  thread,       .......  2-16 

3  lbs.  nails  for  the  Church, "4-10 

Out-go. 

6th  Nov.  for  the  little  pall,  t f.  108. 

for  the  sewing  [same],     ......  1-6 

5th  Dec.  for  the  wine  for  the  Lord's  Supper,       .         .  25- 
for  freight  of  a  tub  of  nails  from  the  Fuyck.  || 

4  lbs.  nails,           ........  6- 

for  glass  for  the  Church,           .....  30- 

1687,  28th  Mar. 
to  Ryer  Jacobse  [Schermerhorn],         ,         .         .         .        600- 
and  47  skiples  of  wheat  @  5  skiples  pr.  beaver,  wliich 
he  has  received  of  Sweer  Teunisse  [Van  Velsen]. 

*  Did  the  Consistory  act  as  a  court  of  Justice  imposing  and  collecting  fines, 
or  were  the  fines  collected  by  the  Magistrates  handed  over  to  the  Deacon."s  for 
the  poor  ? 

t  The  magistrates  of  the  Village. 

X  The  "  little  pall "  owned  by  the  Church  was  used  at  the  funeral  of  chil- 
dren. 

II  A  name  given  to  that  part  of  Broadway,  Albany  from  State  St.,  to  Steu- 
ben street. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  188 

also  through  Simon  Groot  12^  skiples  of  wheat, 
also  through  Gysbert  Gerritse  [Van  Brakcl]  16  skiples 
of  wheat.  ....... 

also  through  Barent  Wemp  1 1  skiples  of  wheat,  all  @ 
5  skiples  ]»er  beaver.         ..... 

4th  Sept.  also  to  wine  for  the  Lord's  Supj^er,       .         .  30- 

also  for  linnen  4  ells,       ......  7-6 

also  a  shirt  for  a  captive  Frenchman,         ...  8- 

also  2  skiples  of  wheat  bo't,    .....  10- 

also  for  wine  for  the  Lord's  Supper,  .  .  .  .  15- 

also  27  guilders  sewant  to  Potman  as  is  to  be  seen  by 

his  settlement,     .......  27- 

A.  D.  1687,  5th  Dec.  in  Schenectady. 
The  Consistory,  minister,  elders  and  deacons, — have 
received  an  account  of   the  cash   and  all  other 
things  from  John  Sanderse  [Glen]  and  delivered 
the  same  to  Claes  Lourentse    Purmerent    \_alias 
Van  der  Volgen]  as  follows: — he  has  in  seawant 
[wampum]  and  silver  money,      .         .         .         •     g-  697-2 
and  he  is  to  receive  in  outstanding  debts  for  linnen,  423  f. 

Purma'rent  has  sold  according  to  his  book,       .  249^  lb.  nails 

in  his  book  yet  unpaid,        .  .  .  .  .         1281b.    '' 

also  Purmarent  has  in  his  house,     .  .  .  1 49  lb.    " 


total,  .  .  .  528^  " 
Petrus  Thesschenmaecker. 
Meyndert  Wemp. 

The  accounts  for  1688  were  kept  by  deacon  Class  Lourentse 
Purmerent  [Vander  Volgen].  The  sales  being  similar  to  those 
of  the  year  preceding  but  few  extracts  will  be  made. 

1687,  loth  April. 
Simon    Groot,    Barent   Wemp    and   Gysbert  Geritse 
(van  Brakel)  are  indebted  for  a  year's  hire  of  the 
plantation,  *  guilders,  .....  82. 


*  The //rz«Azj-/>  here  mentioned  for  the  first  time  in  these  accounts,  hut 
afterwards  called  de  'wey  and  ^/carw^*  Tc-^j  was  the  i8  morgens  of  land  be- 
queathed "  for  the  poor  of  Scherectady  "  by  Hanse  Janse  Eenkluys.  This 
parcel  of  ground  was  known  later  as  the  Poor  Pasture. 


184  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

1688,  15th  April. 
Simon  Groot,  Barent  Wemp   and   Gysbert   Gerritse 

[van  Brukel]  arc  still  in  debt  for  a  year's  liire  of 

this  plantation,  .....  .82. 


f.  1G4 
1689,  I'jth  April. 
Simon    Groot,  Barent  Wemp   and  Gysbert   Gen-itse 
[van  Brakel]  debt  for  a  year's  hire  of  the  planta- 
tion,   .         .         .         .    ' f.  82. 

1687,  28th  March.     Simon  Groot,  Cr. 
to  13^  skiples  of  wheat  @  4  skiples  the  beaver,        .  20. 

Gysbert  Gerritse  (van  Brakel,  Cr. 
to  16  skiples  of  wheat  @  5  skiples  pr.  beaver,         ,  25-12 

Barent  Wemp,  Cr. 
to  11  skiples  of  wheat  @  5  skii)les  ])r.  beaver,  .  17-12 

1688.     Gysbert  Gerritse  (van  Brakel),  Cr. 
10  skiples  of  peas  @  5  skiples  pr.  beaver,         .         .  16. 

Dirk  Bradt,  Cr. 

15  skiples  of  wheat, 24. 

by  Jan  Roelolfse  *  (De  Goyer), 6. 


109-4 
1688.     The  diaconate,  Dr. 
66  lbs.  nails  on  the  fence  and  39^  lbs.  nails  on  the 
House,  t      .......         . 

1688.     The  diaconate,  Cr. 
66  lbs.  nails,    ........ 

sold  34  skeins  of  thread,  at  6  stuivers  j)r.  skein,  . 

the  skeins  come  to  ......         .  f.  10-4 

Cr. 

For  the  selling  of  thread, 10-4 

[Audit  for  the  year  1688.] 

A.  D.  1688,  Nov.  1st,  in  Schenectady. 
The  Consistory  of  Schenectady — ministers,  elders  and    dea- 
cons— have   received  from  Claas  Lourentse  Purnierend  [alias 


*  Son  of  Anneke  [anse  by  her  first  husband,  Roeloff  Janse. 

t  Parsonage  house  and  fence. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


185 


Vander  Volgen]  an  account  of  the  cash,  and  at  this  date  have 
delivered  over  tlie  same  to  Adam  Vroomuii  in  the  following 
items  : 

^  An  obligation  against  Hendrick 
jMeese  [Vrooman]  of  the  year 
1681,  Ain-il23.  5    f.  600. 

An      obligation      of     Bennony 
Arentse  [Van  Hoeck]  of  the  ^    5J 
year  1686,  August  2nd.  ^    336-1 

An  obligation  against  AVilliam       ^ 
Abrahamse  [Tietsoort]  of  the       g 
year  1697,  November  28th.      J    H    600. 
An  obligation  against  Reyer  Jacobse  [Schermerhorn] 
of  the  the  year  1687,  28th  March,  f.  1008-  except 
the  interest. 
Sundry  sums  from  the  pasture  land  of  the  year  1688, 

April  15th, 164-8 

From  Gerrit  Bancker  for  the  pasture  land,     .         .  44- 

Freewill  offerings  of  Barent  Ditmars,         .         .         .  24- 

§lb.  thread,    ........ 


Sum.  .         .        .     f.  3369-1 6- 

The  which  we  witness — 

Petrus  Thesschenmaecker,  preacher. 
Sweer  Teunise  Van  Velseu, 
Reynier  Schaets, 
Meyndert  Wemp, 
Claes  Lourentse  [Vander  Volgen], 
Adam  Vrooman. 
This  is  1  C  (/)  the  mark  of  Isaac  Swits. 

Deacon  Adam  Vi-ooman  was  treasurer  of  the  Diaconate  for 
the  year  1 689.     The  following  are  some  of  the  expenditures. 

1689,  6th  January. 
Paid  to  Elisabeth  Von  Trich    [Tricht  *  ]   for  Hans 

Janse  [Ecnkulys], 57-12 

February, 
to  myndert  Wemp  paid  7  skiples  of  wheat,         .         .  28. 

March, 
paid  for  wine  for  the  Lord's  supper,    .         .  .         •  17. 


*  daughter  of  William  Teller  and  wife  of  Abraham  Van  Tricht  of  Albany 


24 


1 86  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

paid  to  the  guardians  of  Peter  Kruyns,  .         .         .  144 

1689,  30th  May. 
also  to  Ludovicus  Cobes  lent  mioii  inteiest,     .  .  132 

2prd  July, 
also   j)aid  for  4  days  work   in   the  pasture  of  Hans 

Janse  [Eenkluys],        .  .  .  .  .  .  16. 

30th  October, 
also  paid  for  wine  for  the  Lord's  supper,     .         .         .         17-/0 

3rd  September. 
also  to  Teunis  Karstense  lent  u])oii  interest,        .         .        120. 
[Audit  for  1689.] 
A.  T>.  1689,  Nov.  26th,  in  Schenectady. 
The   consistory — Ministers,    Elders    and   Deacons — have   re- 
ceived from  Adam  Vrooman  an  account  of  the  cash,  del)ts,  obli- 
gations and  [dues]  for  the   [Poor]  Pasture,  and   delivered  the 
same  to  Isaac  Swits  at  this  date  in  the  following  items : — 
In  cash  seawant,     .....  gl.  245-14 

The  Poor  Pasture  is  indebted,    .         .         .  212-11 


458-5 

Obligations 

,  Debit. 

Hendrick  Meese  [Vrooman], 

f.  451-5 

Beinioni  Arentse  [Van  Hoeck],    . 

396-1 

Ryer  Jacobse  Schermerhooren, 

1128. 

Willem  Abrahamse  [Tiotsoort], 

612. 

Ludovicus  Cobes,  . 

f.  132. 

Teunis  Carstense, 

f.  120 

Carel  Hansen  [Tol], 

• 

f.  120 

f.  2959-6 

Book  debts. 

John  Bi'ouwer,     .         .         .         . 

, 

f.  54. 

Maria  Cobes, 

f.  45-19 

Isaac  De  Triex  [Truax], 

16-10 

Alexander  Glen, 

. 

f.  15-15 

John  Glen,           .... 

f.  32  15 

Jacob  Van  Laer, 

• 

f.  3. 

Philip  Philipse  [DeMore], 

. 

27-12 

Jan  Joncker  [Van  Rotterdam], 

• 

f.24. 

Hendrick  Lammerse, 

, 

12 

HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Andries  Bradt, 

Willem  Abrahamse  [Tietsoort], 

Douwe  Aukes  [De  Freeze],     . 

Jan  Mebie, 

Joris  Aersse  [Van  der  Baast], 

Jesaias  Swart,    ... 

Bennoni  Aersse  [Van  Ilocck], 

Gerrit  Bancker, 

Bareut  [Janse]  Van  Ditmars, 


f.  24 

f.30 

31-1 
f.  13-10 

12. 
f.l2 
33-10 
44-8 
24 


527 


f .  3944-1 1 
Petrus  Thesschenmaecker,  preaclier. 
Myndert  Wemp,      ^ 
Frans  Harmense,      v-    Elders. 
[Van  Der  Bogart].  ) 
Adam  Vrooman,  "] 

This  is  the  \  C  (/)  mark  of  Isaac  Swits,     f    These  four 
Willem  Appel,  j     Deacons. 

This  is  the  B  W  mark  of  Barent  Wemp.  J 
For  many  years  after  1689  the  treasurer's  accounts  no  longer 
exist,  only  yearly  audits  of  the  Consistory  are  shown  below. 


Years. 

Receipts. 

Expenditures. 

Balance  at  close. 

1691 

97  gl.  16stiv. 

1692 

368-12 

110-5 

258-7 

1693 

779-7 

240- 

539-7 

1694 

462-1 

1695 

1480-5 

998-12 

481-13 

1696 

1719-10 

1617-5 

102-5 

1697 

972-10 

857- 

115-10 

1698 

1915- 

1757-19 

157-) 

1699 

1967-6 

1988- 

The  credit  for  the  years  1705  to  1713,  inclusive,  made  in  one 
statement  by  Domine  Van  Driessen,  of  Albany,  showed  recei])ts 
of  more  than  13,000  guilders. 


188 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Years. 

1     Receijtts. 

Disbursements. 

1736 

*£24 1-1 2-02 

£267-19-09 

1738 

282-03-00 

314-17-10 

1739 

45-04-1 1 

45-12-00 

1740 

58-15-00 

58-04-00 

1741 

54-04-07 

61-11-02 

1743 

145-11-11 

1 35-02-05 

1744 

111-00-00 

120-16-00 

1745 

121-19-04 

123-04-03 

1746 

131-09-10 

1 1 7-04-09 

1747 

157-00-10 

164-17-00 

1748 

209-10-06 

212-1 9-00 

1749 

183-13-08 

1 79-04-08 

1750 

137-07-03 

137-18-03 

1751 

150-07-01 

141-14-06 

1752 

192-14-08 

62-02-03 

1753 

340-05-04 

276-05-03 

1754 

175-15-09 

229-11-10 

1755 

177-02-06 

229-01-08 

1756 

225-16-03 

151-16-06 

1757 

212-13-00 

157-11-05 

1758 

206-17-00 

200-08-00 

1759 

254-00-00 

158-18-00 

1760 

198-10-04 

174-07-03 

1761 

149-05-02 

224-  1-07 

1762 

225-00-00 

204-11-10 

1763 

200-14-00 

276-07-09 

1764 

227-07-05 

152  06-04 

1765 

243-00-06 

203-03-08 

1766 

164-01-00 

135-04-03 

1767 

114-09-03 

123-09-00 

1768 

128-16-01 

141-09-00 

1769 

225-14-02 

205-09-09 

1770 

266-11-01 

327-05-01 

1771 

193-11-00 

209-04-00 

1772 

193-17-10 

189-03-00 

1773 

291-00-06 

256-01-05 

1774 

251-10-09 

267-14-01 

1775 

199-10-06 

195-18-00 

1776 

251-06-05 

205-16-10 

1777 

274-17-05 

266-14-08 

1778 

518-04-01 

441-16-02 

1779 

fl  301 -08-03 

686-11-06 

17S0 

tl321-16-04 

819-03-00 

*  The  pound 
+  Depreciated 


New  York  currency  was  $2.50, 
Continental  currency. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


189 


Years. 

Receipts. 

Disbursements. 

1781 

£16i)06-(»() 

£122-15  00 

1782 

2  IS- 1 7-00 

197-10-00 

1783 

171-04-00 

148-06-09 

178  J: 

275-11-JO 

374  18-06 

1785 

321-03-05 

323-06-00 

1786 

364-12-10 

361-06-08 

1787 

313-18-00 

291-05-05 

1788 

217-02  06 

241-03  04 

1789 

408-10-10 

38900-00 

1790 

585-05-01 

569-07-01 

1791 

353  10-05 

353-05-00 

1792 

488  03-11 

485-11-06 

1793 

300.03-07 

286-OS-ll 

1794 

316-16-08 

304-04-00 

1795 

684-09  10 

684-09-10 

1796 

524-09-03 

475  16-02 

1797 

531-06-01 

378-16-10 

1798 

393-17-06 

391-13-00 

1799 

545-16-10 

336-09-06 

1800 

616-19  00 

654-13-03 

1801 

537-15-04 

485-15-04 

1802 

2,137-15-06 

2,117-05-00 

1803 

1,247-10-00 

1,250-08-03 

1804 

560-18-00 

575-15-01 

1805 

$2.057.H2 

$1,716.90 

1806 

3,354.22 

3,257.27 

1807 

1,346.46 

990.62 

1 808  to  Aug 

1,106.89 

744.45 

1808  toDec 

2,663.19 

2,629.00 

1809 

1,592.27 

1,353.80 

1810 

5,414,10 

5,356.00 

1811 

1,936.09 

2,073.10 

1812 

5,065.19 

4,826.41 

1813 

8,470.09 

9,506.50 

1814     i 

8.234.70 

7,256.92 

The  foregoing  table  is  not  strictly  an  exhibit  of  the  yearly  in- 
come  and  expenditures  only,  but  includes  receipts  and  disburse- 
ments of  all  kinds  and  for  all  purposes.     Thus  during  the  years , 
of  1812  to  1814  large  sums   were  received  from  subscriptions 
and  expended  upon  the  new  Church  then  building. 


190  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

A  few  special  reports  on  the  Income  and  Assets  of  the  Church 

made  from  time  to  time  to  the  Consistory  are  here  subjoined  : 

August  27th,  1793.     "  Yearly  uicome  of  the  Church. 

"  Ground  rents, £290- 13-6 J 

Church  pasture,    .......  34- 

"      Mill,     .......  47- 

Interest  on  £662  6-4, 46-7-2f 

Seat  rent, 100- 


"  Expenditures. 

Ministers'  salary  and  wood,           .         .         ,  £220 

Voorzanger,       ......  20 

Collecting,    .......  6. 

Bell  ringer  and  wood,       ....  13. 


£518-0-9^ 


259. 

Additional  rents  out  of  lands,         ....  100. 

do  do  do       ....         .  10. 


"  Unsettled  rents  &  debts,     .         .         .  £657-12 

do       Pew  rents,.      ....  40- 

Money  lent, 36-69 


£369 


733-18-9 


Debts  due  for  lot  of  Potman,"  *         .         .  £200- 


£533-18-9 

"  State  of  Income  and  improvement  of  fund. 
1795.     Present  income. 
Rent   for  land  in  patent  £250.      will  be  at  1800  about  £300. 
Old  cash  rents,  .         .10.        "     »    "      "        "  10. 

Wheat  rents,  176 skip:  @9s     79-4 fluctuating,  say  52-1 6 to     79-4 
Mill  at  present,  .         .     47.     will  increase  say  to    .       94. 

Pasture,        ...  34.     fluctuating,  say     .  34. 

An.  int.  on  obligations  near     42.  "  "  .       42. 

Seat  money  in  church,       .    100.  "  "       .  100. 


In  1795,         .         .         .     £562-4         "  "  in  1800  £659-4 

*  This  debt  was  incurred  in  the  purchase  of  the  Lot  on  the  Northerly 
comer  of  Union  &  Ferry  Streets  for  the  Academy  erected  thereon  by  the 
Church. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  191 

Present  Expenses. 

Minister's  salary, £200. 

Clerk,      .         .' 20. 

Sexton  and  stove,         .          .         .         .         .         .         .  12. 

Wood,     .        • 30. 


£262. 
Present  remains,  .......       300-4 

Add  to  this  subscriptions  about,        ....  30. 


£330-4 
"Improvement  of  fund  may  take  place,  by  sale  of  tlie  [Poor] 
Pasture :    it  yields  no  more  than,      ....         £34. 

sold  for  £900  will  yeild  more  free  from  expense,    .  29. 

ditto  Mill,  etc.,  at  present  £47 : — sold  for  £1.700, — in- 
terest free  and  more,  .....  72. 

A.  S.  Vedder's  Lot  and  house  *  with  East  part  of  old 

[lot]  more  say,       ......  49. 

Parsonage  lot,  f  say  moi-e,         .         .         .         .         .  48. 

Lands  to  be  leased,  rent  of  which  will  at  least  be   .  80. 


In  1800  the  fund  may  be £937-4 

Deduct  present  expense         .....  262. 


and  remains      ........       £675-4 

"  This  exclusive  of  siibscriptions  and  what   obligations    are 

with  the  deacons. 

"  Seat  money  may  be  considerably  increased  by  making  the 

repairs,  which  have  been  heretofore  contemplated  and  resolved 

upon  but  not  yet  executed. 

"  In  every  case  the  enlarging  and  increase  of  funds  depend 

upon  our  improvement  of  time.     From  the  present  opinion  of 

men  and  value  set  on  property,  it  is  probable  that  we  might  get 

one  fourth  more  at  present  than  we  might  be  able  to  obtain  five 

years  hence  if  not  18  months  hence."  J 


*  The  lot  owned  and  occupied  by  the  late  G.  Q.   Carley. 
t  The  lot  on  which  the  Church  now  stands. 

X  This  encouraging  report  seems   to  have  been   made  in  view    of  the  pro- 
posed improvement  of  the  old  house  of  Worship. 


192  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


IGth  March,  1 802.  "  Report  on  the  annual  income  of  the  Churcli. 

Quitrents, £319-10-6 

Church  [Poor]  Pasture,            ....  58. 

Church  Grist-.Mill, 50. 

Average  amount  of  annual  Seat  money,            .  'io. 
Annual  interest  on  bonds  &  notes,  principal  being 

£1287,  @7%          .,,...  90. 


£552-10-6 
Mar.  5th,  1805.  "Estimate  of  Income  of  the  Dutch  Church. 
Annual  quitrents,  cash.         .....        £315-5-8 

do     wheat,  171^  skiples  @  6s.     .         .         .  51-7-6 


£366-13-2 


Arrears  of  quitrents,  cash,      .         .         £277-13  10 
do     wheat,  500  Skiples,         .         .       150.-0  0 


£427-13-10 
Income  from  Poor  2:>asture,  seat  money  and  Grist- 
mill,         19/ 


total  income,         .         .  £561-13-2 
Obligations. 

Principal, £3.086  00-11 

Interest  due  March  1st,    .         .         .          409-14^  " 
25th  April,  1815.     Income. 

"Cash, $1,001,771 

Wheat, 145,53 

Obligations,  $9966,  50 :     An :    interest         .         .  696,88^ 

Rent  of  [Poor]  Pasture,           ....  242. 


§2,084.19 
IGth  Mar.  1818.   "Finances  of  the  Church,  Jan.  1st.  1818. 
Obligations  due,  Principal,         ....        $8,583.08^ 
"  arrears  due,         .....       1,041.42 

Quitrents,  arrears  due, 1,484,12^ 

do       wheat  arrears,       .....         738.69 

$11,846.32 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


193 


"  Yearly  Income. 

Interest  on  obligations,       .... 

$000.81^ 

Quitrents  in  Cash, 

809.20^ 

do         wheat,  @  12s.  the  skiple     . 

294.91 

Pew  rents 

299.50 

Pasture  rent, 

2o7.74 

$2,262.17 

On  the  3d  March,  1 823.  The  annual  income  from  all  sources 
is  stated  to  be  $2,1 18.81. — 

In  1 790  and  for  some  years  later  there  was  great  scarcity  of 
small  change:  to  meet  this  inconvenience  many  individuals, 
corporations  and  even  Churches  issued  "  shin  plasters  "  for  one 
penny  and  upwards. 

On  the  6th  of  September,  1 790  the  deacons  announced  to  the 
Consistory  that  in  consequence  of  the  scarcity  of  copper  money 
the  weekly  collections  in  the  Church  had  fallen  off  nearly  one 
half,  and  therefore  inquired  whether  there  was  noway  of  remedy- 
ing this  loss. 

The  reverend  Consistory  having  considered  the  matter  came 
to  the  unanimous  conclusion, — 

1.  that  the  reverend  Consistory  should  immediately  have 
printed  £100  in  one,  two,  three   and  six   penny  notes; 

2.  that  Domiiie  Romeyn  or  some  other  member  of  the  Con- 
sistory should  sign  the  same  in  the  name  of  the  Consistory  ; 

3.  that  these  notes  shall  be  issued  from  time  to  time  by  the 
deacons ; 

4.  that  the  deacons  shall  keep  an  account  of  all  the  notes 
issued  and  hold  the  money  received  in  exchange  to  redeem  them 
on  demand ; 

o.  the  deacons  shall  render  an  account  hereof  as  often  as 
required  by  the  Consistory. 


t=t=^[id.]       (One  Penny.)      [id.  ]   -=^  =5 
TTld.T    2)      Schenectady       (^    "|  .dllT 


Church  Money 


2.5 


194  HISTORY  OF  THE  CPIURCH. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Church  Statistics. 

Baptisms. — The  baptismal  Register  {Doep  book)  of  this 
Church  from  1694  to  this  time  is  entire  with  the  exception  of 
ten  years  during  Domine  Vrooman's  ministry :  and  as  all  chil- 
dren were  bai)tised  both  colored  and  Indian  as  well  white, — 
legitimate  and  illegitimate  — it  is  the  only  authoritative  source, 
if  rightly  interpreted,  Avhence  the  descendants  of  most  of  the 
old  Dutch  families  can  derive  their  pedigrees,  In  early  times 
baptism  was  always  performed  in  the  Church,  unless  unavoida- 
bly prevented,  and  within  a  few  days  after  birth ;  sometimes  on 
the  birthday.  And  it  was  the  duty  of  the  Domine  to  register 
each  child  so  baptised  with  parents'  and  sponsors  {getuygen) 
names. 

The  number  of  registered  baptisms  from  1694  to  1852  is 
l',396. 

Marriages. — Preliminary  to  [the  marriage  contract  the  banns 
were  proclaimed  three  successive  Sabbaths  in  the  Church,  or  a 
licence  might  be  granted  by  the  Goveriioi-  of  the  Province,  after 
which  the  rite  was  solemnised  {bevestight)  by  the  Domine,  or 
occasionally  by  a  justice  of  the  peace. 

The  marriage  Register  or  Tromoboeck  of  this  church  contains 
the  names  of  2573  couples  married  between  the  years  1 694  and 
1852. 

Church  members. — The  number  of  members  received  during 
the  ministry  of  each  pastor  was  as  follows :  — 

1694—1700 23 

Do.  Freeman, 1700 — 17o5 85 

1705—1715   1 

Do.   Hrouvver, 1715—1728 ..     108 

Do.  Erichzon, 1728— 173f) 204 

1736—1740 31 

Do.  Van  Zantvoord 1740—1752 152 

1752—1754   57 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


195 


Do.  Vrooman,*   1Y54— 1784, 

Do.   Romeyn.t 1784—1804, 

Do.  Meier, 1804—1 806 

1806-1808 . 

Do.  Bogardus4 1808—1812 . 

1812—1815 . 

Do.  Van  Vechten, 1815—1849 , 


Total, 

A  report  made  to  the   Classis  of  Albany,  July 
shows  the  following  statistics.  || 
Number  of  families       ...... 

Total  in  the  Congregation         .... 

In  communion  by  report  last  year 

Received  on  Confession     ..... 

do        by  certificate         ..... 

Dismissed  ....... 

Died 

Total  in  communion  ..... 

Adult  baptisms      ....... 

Infant  baptisms  ...... 

For  a  list  of  the  Deacons  &  Elders  see  appendix  F. 


14th, 


487 

248 
10 
18 

157 
12 

910 

2,503 
1817 

426. 

2518. 

342. 

53. 

5. 

6. 

12. 

382. 

7. 

46. 


*  From  1772  to  1782  no  members  are  registered, 
t  There  were  414  members  living  in  1785. 

X  In  1809  Domine  Bogardus  reported  only  270  members   of   the  Church  ; 
in  181 1  the  number  was  increased  to  413. 
11  Consistory  minutes. 


APPENDIX  A. 


XIII 


XII 


52 


54 


55 


56 


57 
58 


59 


60 


61 


62 


■^ 

^ 


51 


50 


49  48  47 


46  45 


37  3^ 


36  35 


39 


40  41  42  43  44 


34  33 


32 


31  30  29 


20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

19 

IS 

17 

16 

15 

14 

13 

12 

II 

5 


II 


Plan  of  Church  of  1 734. 


1 
8   9   10  n 

> 

> 

> 

. 

_ 

HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  199 

REGISTER  VAN  DE  PLAATSEN  IN  DE  KERKE.  * 

Mons  Plaatsen. 

BANK   NO.  1 1 

Begint  achter  het  gestoelte  der  Ouderlingen  tegen  de  West 
Muur  eu  gaat  tot  aan  't  gestoelte  der  Magistraten,  behelsende  12 
sit-plaatsen. 

1.  Johannes  Schuyler,  1734  ;  Adam  Van  Slyck,  1788.  2. 
Philip  Livingston.  1734;  Robert  Livingston,  1754  ;  Johannes 
Glen  Jr.,  1788.  3.  Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer,  1734;  Steven 
Van  Rensselaer,  1754  ;  Stephanus  Van  Rensselaer,  1788;  John 
Sanders  Ten  Eyck,  1791.  4.  Edward  Collins,  1734;  Ilarmanus 
Bradt,  1754-88.  5.  Jan  Wemp,  1734;  Jan  [Baptist  Van  Eps, 
1754  ;  Jan  Baptist  Van  Eps,  1806.  6.  Arent  Bratt,  1734 ; 
Arent  C.  Van  Petten,  1754  ;  Nicolaas  A.  Van  Petten,  1788.  7. 
Isaac  Isaacse  Ti'uax  ;  Isaac  Isaacse  Truax,  1754;  De  kerke, 
1798;  Abraham  Oothout,  1798.  8.  Johannes  H.  Wendell; 
Evert  Wendell,  1754;  Harmanus  H.  Wendell,  1788;  Hendrick 
Glen.  9.  Harmen  Harm :  Vedder ;  John  Cuyler  Jr.  10. 
Petrus  Van  Driessen  ;  Johannes  Van  Driessen.  11.  Harmanus 
Adamse  Van  Slyck,  1754.     12.     Jacobus  Bratt,  1754. 

*  This  list  is  made  up  of  those  Registers  combined,  of  dates  1734,  1754  & 
1788  and  include  all  tl^e  names  contained  therein.  The  slips  or  Baiickcn  were 
numbered  nearly  alike  in  1734  and  1754  but  the  numbers  were  quite  differect 
in  1788.  As  before  stated  each  sitting  in  the  Church  was  held  by  its  occupant 
for  life  unless  forfeited  by  non-payment  of  the  seat  rent,  or  by  removing 
from  the  town  ;  and  descended  to  his  or  her  nearest  male  or  female  lieir. 
Hence  the  same  sitting  was  in  some  cases  retained  in  the  family  for  3  or  4 
generations.  It  will  be  noticed  also  that  the  males  occupied  the  wall  benches 
{gestoelte)  chiefly,  which  were  slightly  raised  above  the  others  ;  whilst  the 
females  sat  upon  the  benches  (  bancken )  in  the  body  of  the  house.  The  slips 
for  the  two  sexes  were  numbered  from  one  upwards,  — those  of  the  males 
from  I  to  XIII  : — those  of  the  females  from  i  to  62.  The  Deacons  and 
Elders  sat  in  the  four  benches  on  each  side  of  the  pulpit  or  doopkttisje,  and 
the  magistrates  and  other  men  of  note  upon  the  long  bench  on  the  West  side 
of  the  Church  extending  from  the  pulpit  around  to  the  South  door.  The  date 
following  each  name  shows  the  year  when  this  name  first  appears  on  the  list, 
and  the  nnmher  prefixed  to  the  name  indicates  the  seat  on  the  bench  occupied 
by  that  person. 

t  Bench  No.  i  (See  plan)  was  occupied  by  men  of  note. 


200  IIISTOIiY  OF  THE  CPIURCH. 


Begint  ;i;iii  dc  West  zyde  Van  <le  zuyder  Duer  tegens  de 
ztivdt  muur  en  gaat  tot  aaii  Bank  No.  I :  dese  is  gelatan  ten  be- 
hoeven  van  de  Magistrateii,  &v. — 12  zit-plaatsen. 

1.  Gerrit  Symonse  [Veeder],  1733-4;  Johannes  Helmerse 
Veeder,  17rj4-88.  2.  Symon  Swits,  1734  ;  Isaack  Swits,  1754; 
Nicolaas  Hall,  1785.  3.  Reyev  Schermerhorn,  1 734-88  ;  Baitho. 
R.  Schernierliorn,  1794.  4.  Jan  Bareiitse  Wemp,  1734;  Abra- 
ham J.  B.  Wemple,  17S8  ;  John  A.  Weraple,  1803.  5.  Nicolaas 
Schuyler,  1734;  Cornells  Van  Slyck,  1754-88.  6.  Jan  Vroo 
man,  1734  ;  Tobias  Ten  Eyck,  1754  ;  Tobias  Jacobus  Ten  Eyck. 
7.     Harmanus  Jacobus  Van  Slyck,  1754-88. 


BANK    III. 

1.  John  Visger,  1734;  John  Visger,  1754-88;  John  Visger, 
1794.  2.  Joh :  Harmense  Vedder,  1734-88;  Nicolaas  Adr: 
Van  Petten,  1791.  3.  Nicolaas  Van  Petten,  1734-54  ;  Michael 
Tyms.  1788.  4.  Jacobus  Van  Eps.  1734-88;  John  Post,  1789 ; 
Corn  :  Ze^jer  Van  Sautvoord,  1 794. 


1.  Harmen  Van  Slyck,  1734;  Antony  Van  Slyck,  1754-88. 
2.  Johannes  H.  Wendell  1734:  Seth  Vrooman.  1754;  Adam 
S.  Vrooman,  1788,  3.  Johannes  Van  Slyck,  1734;  Carel 
Hansen  Toll,  1754;  Johannes  S.  Toll,  1788.  4.  Caleb  Beck, 
1734-54;  Caleb  Beck,  1788.  5.  Peter  Cornu,  1734;  Daniel 
Cornu,  1754:  Johannes  Van  Petten,  1788.  6.  Jacobus  Vedder, 
1754;  Jacobus  Peek.  1788  ; -Jacobus  Jacobuse  Peek,  1790.  7. 
Jacobus  Mynderse,  1754;  Dirk  Van  Ingen.  1791.  8.  Peter 
Van  Guysling,  1788. 


*  The  Magistrates  bench,  was  occupied  also  by  6  other  respectable  citizens. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  201 


1.  Douwe  Fonda,  1734;  Jacob  Fonda,  1754.  2.*  Arent 
Stevens,  1734;  Willem  Stevens,  1754-88.  3  Peter  Van  Slyck, 
1734;  Maas  Van  Vranken,  1754;  NicolaasVan  Vranken,  1788- 
4.  Hendricus  Helmerse  Veeder,  1754;  Hendericus  Simonse 
Van  Antwerp,  1803.  5.  Isaack  Quackenbos,  1754;  John 
Quackenbos,  1780.  6.  Abraham  Fonda,  1754-88.  7.  Adam 
Vrooman,  1754;  Jacob  A.  Vroonian,  1788.  8.  Marten  Van 
Slvck,  1754-88. 


1.  Symon  Vrooman,  1734;  Joh :  Syraonse  Vrooman,  1754; 
Symon  Jacobse  Vrooman,  1788.  2.  Abraham  Mebie,  1734; 
Albert  Mebie,  1754;  Albert  S.  Mebie,  1788.  3.  Johannes  W. 
Teller,  1734;  Johannes  Teller,  1754;  John  Teller,  1785.  4. 
Cornells  Van  Dyck.  1734  ;  Johannes  Van  Dyck,  1754  ;  Hen- 
drick  Van  Dyck,  Jr.,  1788.  5.  Abraham  Glen,  1734  ;  John  S. 
Glen,  1754-88.  6.  Jacob  Schermerhorn.  1734  ;  Johannes  Scher- 
merhorn,  1754-88.  7.  Myndert  Wemp,  1734;  Myndert  Myn- 
dertse  Wemp,  1754  ;  Jacobus  Wemple,  1791.  8.  William 
Teller,  1734  ;  Jacobus  Teller,  1754;  Wm.  Jacobuse  Teller,  1785; 
9.  Andries  Bratt,  1734;  Johannes  Andriese  Bratt,  1754;  An 
dries  Johannes  Bratt;  1788. 


BANK  VII. 

1.  Jacob  Glen,  1734;  Jacob  Glen  Sanders,  1754;  John 
Sanders  Jr.,  1788.  2.  Nicolaas  Schuyler,  1734  ;  John  Sanders, 
1754;  Arent  Sanders,  1788.  3.  Nicolaas  Gioot,  1754  ;  Nico 
laas  D.  Groot,  1788.  4.  Sara  Glen,l754;  Elisabeth  Sanders, 
1788;  Elsje  Ten  Eyck.  5.  Maria  Sanders,  1754;  Margarita 
Sanders,  1788.  6.  Sara  Sanders,  1754 ;  Sara  J.  Glen,  1780. 
7.  Debora  Saiiders,  1754;  Maria  Beeckman,  1788;  Maghtelt 
D.  Fonda,  1798. 

26 


202  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


HANK    VIII. 

1.  JTin  Wc'inj.,  1734;  John  Inverse  Wemple,  1754-88.  2, 
Hendrk-k  Van  Rensselaer,  1734;  Seger  Van  Santvoord^ 
1754-88.  3.  Arent  Andriese  Bratt,  1734;  Abraham  Bratt, 
1754.  4.  Antony  Bleecker,  1754;  Johannes  J.  Cuyler;  Cornelius 
Cuyler  Jr.,  1788;  Philij)  Ryley.  5.  Barent  Sanders,  1734;  John 
Sanders  Jr.,  1788  ;  Abraham  Glen  Jr., ;  Jacob  Sanders  Glen. 
6.  Johannes  l>ratt,  1734;  Reyer  Wemple,  1788.  7.  Gerrit 
Lansmg,  1734-88  ;  Gerrit  G.  Lansing,  1792.  8.  Bartholomew 
Vrooman,  1734 ;  Johannes  B.  Vrooman,  1788.  9.  Johannes 
Symonse  [Veeder],  1734;  Myndert  Veeder,  1754;  Johannes 
M.  Veeder,  1788.  10.  Symon  Volkertse  [Veeder],  1734; 
Barent  Veeder,  1754.  11.  Joh :  Abrahamse  Vedder,  1734; 
Albert  Johanese  Vedder ;  Jacob  Swits  ;  Isaac  J.  Swits,  1788; 
Jacob  Abrahamse  Swits,  1791.  12.  Pieter  Veeder,  l7:M-88. 
Nicolaas  Veeder,  1796.  13.  Gerrit  Symonse  [Veeder],  1734-88' 
14.  Joseph  Yates  Jr.,  1754  ;  Cristoffel  Yates,  1788  ;  Joseph  C] 
Yates,  1790.  15.  Hendrick  Vrooman,  1734;  Cornelis  H. 
Vrooman,  1754;  Dekerk,  1802;  Arent  Vrooman,  1  BOG.  16 
Albert  J.  Vedder,  1754-88.  17.  Abraham  Robertse  Yates, 
1754-88;  Abraham  Joseph  Yates,  1794.  18.  Abraham  Van 
Eps.  1754 ;  Abraham  Van  Eps,  Jr.,  1785  ;  Dekerk,  1792. 


BANK  IX. 

1.  Daniel  De  Graaf,  1754-88;  Daniel  Jesse  De  Graaf,  1791. 
2.  Jellis  Truex,  1734  ;  Abraham  Truex,  17.54  ;  Arent  S.  Vedder, 
1788.  3.  AndriesTniex,  1734-88.  4.  Claas  Van  der  Volgen, 
1734-54  ;  Frans  Veeder,  1788.  5.  Isaack  Jacobse  Swits,  1734  ; 
Hendrick  Swits,  1754-88.  6.  Johannes  Schoonmaker,  1 734-88. 
7.     Isaack  Vrooman,  1734-54;  Adam  S.  Vrooman,  1788. 


1.  Hendrick  Vrooman,  1734;  Barent  Vrooman,  1754; 
Samuel  Van  Slyck,  1788;  Adam  J.  Van  Slyck,  1794.  2.  Jesse 
DeGraaf,  1734  ;  Nicolaas  DeGraaf,  1754-88.     3.     JanMarselis, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  203 

1734  ;  Takel  Marselis,  1754  ;  Ahasuerus  Marselis,  1788  ;  Heii- 
drick  Marselis,  1790.  4.  Arent  Sarauelse  Bratt,  1734  ;  Samuel 
Arentse  Bratt,  1754  ;  Arent  Bratt,  1803.^  5.  Jacob  Mebie,  1734; 
Johannes  Mebie,  1754;  Pieter  J.  Mebie  ;  Cornells  Mebie,  1788. 
6.  Antony  Van  Slyck,  1734;  Cornells  Antony  Van  Slyck, 
>  754-88;  Adriaan  C.  Van  Slyck,  1790.-  7.  Reynier  Mynderse, 
1754-88. 


1.  Andries  Nack,  1734 ;  Arent  Johannese  Bratt ;  Nicolaas  Arn  : 
DeGraaf,  1754  ;  Abraham  Arn  :  DeGraaf,  1788.  2.  Abraham 
DeGraaf,  1734;  Abraham  DeGraaf,  1754;  Abraham  DeGraaf, 
1788.  3.  Robert  Yates,  1734;  Jos:  Robertse  Yates,  1754-b8: 
Abraham  N.  Yates,  1804.  4.  Pieter  Mebie,  1734;  Johannes 
Mebie,  1754-88.  5.  Joseph  Van  Sice,  1734;  Johannes  Van 
Sice,  1754 ;  Cornells  Vander  Volgen  ;  Lourens  Corn  :  Vander 
Volgen,  1788.  6.  Jacob  Vrooman,  1734-54;  Johannes  Clutev 
1788.     7.     Abraham  Truex,  1734;  Abraham  I.  Truex,  1754-88 


BANK    XII. 


1.  Marten  VanBenthnysen,  1734;  Pieter  Truex,  1754-88.  2. 
Jillis  Fonda,  1734;  Pieter  Fonda,  1754;  Jillis  Pieterse  Fonda, 
1788.  3.  Jan  Danielse  Van  Antwerp,  1734;  Arent  Van  AntTi 
werp,  1754;  Johannes  Van  Antwerp,  1754;  Baront  To])ias  Ten 
Eyck,  1788.  4.  Corset  Vedder,  n34 ;  Harmanus  Vedder  Jr., 
1754;  Takerus  VandeBogarf,  1788;  f)-p  de  kerke,  1802.  5.  An- 
dries  Van  Petten,  I  734  ;  Nicolaas  Van  Petten,  1 754  ;  Andries 
Van  Patten,  1788.  6.  Hendrick  Ten  Eyck,  1734;  Hendrick 
Tobias  Ten  Eyck,  1754;  Myndert  S.  fen  Eyck,  1788.  7.. 
Cornells  Veeder,  1734;  Gerrit  Daniel  Gerrit  Van  Antwerp, 
1754;  Gerrit  Conner,  1788.  8.  Myndert  Myndertse,  1 734-54  ; 
Johannes  Myndertse,  1788. 


304  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

HANK    IIII. 

1.  Jan  Dellamont,  1734  ;  Abraham  Dellamont,  1154-88.  2. 
Henrieus  Wemple,  1734;  John  Empio,  1754-88.  3.  Willem 
Schcrmerhorn,  1734  54-88.  4.  Honricus  Volkertse  Veeder? 
1734:  Hendrick  Dfllamont,  1754  88.  5.  Philip  Truex,  1734' 
Abraham  Philipse  Truax,  1754-88.  6.  Johannes  Peek,  1754-88. 
7.     Carel  Hansen  Toll,  1754-88. 

Register  van  de  Yrouwen  sit-phiatsen  beginueude  voor  de 
justices. 


[  Women's  seats.  ] 


BANK  NO.   1. 


1.  Maria  Vedder,  1734;  Margarita  Mebie,  1754;  Anna  H. 
Van  Dyck,  1788.  2.  Elisabeth  Van  Dyck,  1734  ;  Maria  Har- 
mense  Bratt,  1754-88.  3.  Debora  Wemp,  1734:  Maria 
Wempel,  1754-88.  4.  Catharina  Mebie,  1734  ;  AnnatieR.  [A?] 
Mebie,  1754-88.  5.  Helena  Van  Eps,  1734;  Helena  Pieters, 
1754;  AnnatiePieters,  1788.  6.  Anna  Wendell,  1734 ;  Anna 
Van  Antwerp,  1754-88.  7.  Anna  Mebie,  1734;  Engeltie 
Mebie,  1754-88;  Jacomyntie  Van  Dyck,  1793.  8.  Catharina 
J.  Empie,  1754-88. 


BANK  2. 

1.  Engeltie  Veeder  [Vedder?],  1748  ;  Catrina  Van  Antwerp. 
1754;  Engeltie  J.  Van  Antwerp,  1788.  2.  Ariaantie  Van 
Antwerp,  1748;  Jannetie  Peek,  1754;  Catharina  C.  Cuyler, 
1788.  3.  Helena  Bancker,  1748;  Elisabeth  Bancker,  1754-88. 
4.  Elisabeth  Bancker,  1748;  Margarita  Van  Eps,  1788  ;  Elisa- 
beth H.  Peek,  1793.  5.  Susanna  Vedder,  1754;  Catalyntje 
Van  Vleck,  1788.     6.     Catalyntje  Vedder,  1754 ;  Maria  Vedder; 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  205 


Anuatie  Vedder,  huysvrouw  Van  J.  B.  Van  Eps  Jr.,  1788.  7. 
Jannetie  Veeder,  1734;  Susanna  Veeder;  Angenetie  Vedder; 
JannetieJ.  B.  Van  Eps,  1788.  8.  Sarah  P.  Truex,  1754-88. 
9.  Maria  Connor,  1754-8S.  10.  Maria  Empie,  1754  ;  i>e /fccr/te; 
Elisabeth  Bancker  Peek,  1793. 


BANK  3. 

1.  Anna  H.  Vedder,  1734  ;  Susanna  Van  Petten  ;  Anna  J. 
Cuyler,  1788.  2.  Janneke  Nack,  1734 ;  Sara  Vander  Volgen, 
1754-88;  MargaretaWaklron,  1803.  3.  Hester  Groot,  1734; 
Hester  DeGraff,  1754;  Elisabeth  Reyly,  1788.  4.  Caatie 
Bratt,  1734;  Catalina  Clement,  1754-88 ;  Margarita  Samlse 
Clement,  1794.  5.  Ingeltie  Vrooman,  1734  ;  Elisabet  Swits, 
1754;  Maria  Swits,  1788;  Susanna  Swits,  1793.  6.  Dorata 
Vrooman,  1734;  Raghel  Wemple,  1754-88 ;  Susanna  Jellise 
Fonda,  1791.  7.  Steyntje  Vrooman,  1734;  Maria  Coi'uelise 
Veeder,  1754-88  ;  Maria  N.  Bratt,  1809.  8.  Jannetie  Myn- 
derse,  1754-88.  9.  Catharina  Jacobse  Bratt,  1754-88.  10. 
Elisabeth  Harmense  Bratt,   1754-88. 


BANK    4. 

1.  Christina  Truex,  1734;  Catalyntje  De  Graaf,  1754-88. 
2.  Anna  Wendell,  1734  ;  Catariua  H.  Wendell,  1754  ;  Catrina 
H.  Glen,  1788.  3.  Ariaantje  Vedder  1734;Neeltje  Vander 
Bogart,  1754-88  ;  Nelly  Schermerhorn  Clinch,  1804.  4.  Anna 
Veeder,  1734  ;  Maria  Van  Syse,  1754  ;  Cristina  DeGraaf,  1788; 
Margarita  L.  Mynderse,  1791.  5.  Maria  Bratt,  1734  ;  Engeltie 
Van  Petten,  1754-88.  6.  Sara  Van  Slyck,  1734  ;  Kaatje  White, 
1754-88;  Eva  Jacobse  Bratt,  1790.  7.  Elisabet  Cornu,  1734; 
Helena  Van  Slyck,  weduw,  1754-88. 


1.  Antje  Bleecker,  1734;  Maria  Pieterse  Brouwers  1754; 
Helena  P.  Brouwer,  1788;  Helena  J.  Brouwer,  1792.  2. 
Gerritje    Wyngaard,    1734;     Maike     Tyraense,     1754-88.     3. 


20 6  HISTORY  ( ) F  TI I E  CHURCH. 

Catlialyntjo  Tniex,  1734  ;  Helena  Jan  Baptist  Van  Eps,  1754-88; 
Maria  Van  Petten,  1191.     4.    Maritie  Tniex,  1734-88.     5.    Sara. 
Truex,  1754  ;  ]\r:u-t!:arita  Tnicx,  17^8.     6.     Catalyntje  Van  Eps, 
17.)4-88.     7.     Heliegoiula  Daniens{?),  1734. 


BANK      6. 

-  1.  Eva  Vander  Volgen,  1734;  Alida  Reyly,  1754:  Geertruy 
R.  ]Myn(lerse,  1788.  2.  Maria  Van  [der]  Volgen.  1734;  Geer- 
truy  Reyly,  1754  ;  Margarita  R.  Mynderse  ;  Elisabeth  Volkertse 
Veeder,  1788.  3.  Catharina  Vander  Volgen,  1734-88;  Catha- 
rina  H.  Yates,  1793.  4.  Sarah  Van  Slyck,  1754;  Sarah  Van 
Schaick,  1788.  5.  Engeltie  Fairley,  1754  88.  6.  Debora 
Glen,  1734  ;  Debora  Van  Eps,  1788. 


1.  Susanna  YeddeT,  1734  ;  Maria  Van  Petten,  1754  ;  Catrina 
J.  Cuyler  ;  Emmet je  Clerk,  1788.  2.  Maria  H.  Yedder,  1734; 
Engeltje  Campbell,  1754-88  ;  De  kerke,  1793.  3.  Maria  Stevens, 
1734-88.  4.  Susanna  Van  Eps,  1734;  Eva  Young,  1754-88. 
5.'  Susanna  Mynderse,  1734-88.  6.  Ariaantje  Van  de  Bogart, 
1754;  Dekerk,  1765-88. 


BANK     8. 


1.     Elisabeth  Bratt,    734;  Rebecca  Peek,  1754-88.    2.    Cata-' 
lyna  Berret  1734;  Leena  JohanneseVaiii  Antwerp,  1754-88.    3. 

Van   Vranken,     1734;  Margarita    Vedder,    huysvrouvv 

van  Reyer  Veeder;  Margarita  Van  Vranken.  1754;  Elisabet 
Truex;  Maria  R.  Van  Vranken,  1788.  4.  Eva  Fcelick,  1734; 
Jannetie  Van   Guysling,  1754 ;  Suster  J.  Van    Guysling    1788. 

5.  Engeltie  Vrooraan,  1734;  Maria  Swerusp  Marselis  1754-88. 

6.  Anna  Bratt,  1734  ;  Maria  R.  Schermerhorn,   1754-88. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  207 


BANK    8.*'>« 

1.  Jaunetie  Symoiise  Van  Petten,  1754-88.  2.  Janiietie 
Johannese  Teller,  1754-88.  3.  Anna  Johaiiuese  Teller,  1754-88. 
4.  Annatie  Jillese  Van  Vorst  1754-88.  5.  Elisabeth  Van 
Ingen,  1754-88.     6.     Elisabeth  P.  Clute  (McKinney)  1788. 


BANK   9. 

1.  Hester  Tyniense,  1734-54 ;  Anna  Tymense,  1788.  2.  Anna 
Christiaanse,  1734;  Irametie  Christiaanse,  17f)4-88;  De  kerke, 
1801.  3.  Margarita  Janse  W^emple,  1734  ;  Elisabet  Swart, 
1754  ;  Sara  C.  Van  de  Bogart,  1788.  4.  Molly  Post,  1734-88; 
Catalina  C.  Van  Santvoord,  1788.  5.  Catarina  Van  Guysling, 
1734-88.  6.  Jannetie  Andriese  Bratt,  1754;  Annatie  Bancker, 
1788. 


BANK  9.  bis 

1.  Neeltie  Staats,  1754;  Deborah  Staats ;  Helena  Lansing, 
1788.  2.  Helena  Jac:  Van  Eps,  1754-88.  3.  Margarita 
Schermerhorn,  1754-88;  Engeltie  R.  Schermerhorn,  1788. 
Catrieua  Banker,  1754;  Catriena  Banker  Van  Aernum,  1788; 
De  kerke,  1791  ;  Elisabeth  Reyuex,  1792.  5.  Annatie  Glen, 
1754;  Margarita  Hosford,  1788.  (J.  Annatie  Adriaanse  Van 
Slyck,  1754-88. 


BANK  10. 

1.  Anna  Van  Vorst,  1734;  Elisabet  Schermerhorn,  1754; 
Annatie  Van  Vranken,  1788.  2.  Maria  Arentse  Vedder,  1 734  ; 
Annatie  Swart,  1754-88.  3.  Helena  Swits,  1734;  Jannetie 
Vrooman,  1788.  4.  Tanneke  Clute,  1734;  Tanneke  Jac: 
Clute,  1754-88.  5.  Jannetie  Swits,  1734;  Maria  H.  Vrooman, 
1754-88.  6.  Helena  Johannese  Van  Eps,  1734;  Catrina 
Johannese  Van  Eps.  1754-88. 


208  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


BANK   11. 

Vacant. 
BANK   12. 

1.  Annatie  Abrahamse  Van  Antwerp,  1754-  .  2.  Elisa- 
bet  Bratt  1754  ;  Rebecca  De  Graaf  ;  Debora  De  Graaf,  1788. 
3.  Anna  Bratt  1754;  Elisabet  Johannese  Van  Sice,  1788.  4. 
Susanna  Bratt  1754;  Annatje  Freeman,  1788.  5.  Alicia 
Vredenberirh,  1754-88;  De  kerke,  9. 


BANK   13. 

1.  Elisabet  Cornu,  1734;  Elisabet  Coma,  1754-88.  2. 
Maria  Corna,  1734-88.  3.  Helena  Williemse  Pieterse,  1734  ; 
Elisabeth  Abrahamse  Bratt,  1 754-94  ;  Eva  Abrahamse  Bratt, 
1794.  4.  Sophia  Pieterse,  1734-88;  Cornelia  Marselis,  1801. 
.*^.  Margareta  Van  Syse;  1754;  Helena  Campbell;  Mary  Van 
Syce,  1788. 


BANK    14. 

1.  Catrina  Adriaanse  Van  Slyck,  1754-88.  2.  Maria  Yatesi 
1754;  Maria  Cornelise  Van  Slyck,  1788;  Elisabeth  Cornelise 
Van  Slyck,  1794.  3.  Jacobatie  Truex,  1754-94;  Catalyntje 
Truex  Conde,  1794.  4.  Neeltie  Viele,  1754-88.  5.  Neeltie 
Bancker  1754-88.     6.     Alida  Conde,  1754. 

BANK    15. 

1.  Susanna  Toll,  1734;  Magdalena  Scherraerhorn,  1754; 
Fytje  Van  Petten,  1788.  2.  Elisabeth  Toll,  1734 -,  Geertruy 
Toll,  1754 ;  Engeltie  Viele,  1788  ;  Neeltie  Nicholas  S.  Van 
Petten,  1791.  '  3.  Claartje  Van  Slyck,  1734;  Judick  Veeder, 
1754:  Anna  Combs,  1788.  4.  Maria  Fonda,  1734-54;  Engel- 
tie Freeman ;  Elisabeth  Freeman ;  Maria  Vedder :  Hannah 
"Warner,  1788;  Catharine  Theresa  Romeyn  Beck,  1794.  5. 
Ingeltie  Van  Petten,  1754-88. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  209 

BANK    IG. 

1.  Eva  Swart,  1734;  Geertruy  M.  Mynderse,  1754;  Susan 
Scherinerhorn,  1803.  2.  Maria  Mynderse,  1734-54  ;  Annatie 
Joseph  Mynderse,  1794.  3.  Elizabeth  Marselis,  1754  ;  Helena 
Marselis,  weduwe,  1788.  4.  Anna  Teller,  1754;  Anna  W.  Teller, 
1788.     5.     Engeltie  Veeder,  1754-88. 


BANK  17. 

1.  Jannetie  Viele,  1734  ;  Catrina  Albertse  Vedder,  1754-88; 
Catharina  Arent  A.  Vedder,  1798.  2.  Ariaantje  Andrz  :  Bratt, 
1734.  3.  Margareta  Scherraerhorn,  1734;  Susanna  Schermer- 
horn,  1754-88.  4.  Geertruy  Groot,  1734;  Marrytje  Claaz : 
Van  Petten,  1754;  Raghel  Jacobuse  Fonda,  1788.  5.  Cata. 
lina  R.  Wemple,  1734;  Susanna  R.  Wemple,  1754;  Alida 
Wemple,  1788.  6.  Catriena  Swart,  1754-88;  Rebecca  Groot, 
1804. 


BANK   18. 

1.  Maria  Dellamont,  1734;  Annatie  Dellamont,  1754; 
Catrina  Swits,  1788.  2.  Suster  Van  Guj'sling,  1734;  Suster 
Swits,  1*54-88.  3.  Marytje  Veeder,  1734;  Catharina  Van 
Slyck,  1754-88.  4.  Rebecca  DeGraaf,  1734;  Hester  Toll, 
1754 ;  Hester  C.  Toll,  1788.     5.    Margarita  Dellamont,  1754-88. 


BANK  19. 

1.  Catharina  Livingston  1734.  2.  Delia  Groenendyck,  1734; 
Maria  Schuyler  ;  Jannetie  Van  Slyck,  1754;  Geertruy  Cornelise 
Van  Slyck,  1788;  Jannetie  Lambert,  1790.  3.  Maria  Groen- 
endyck, 1 734  ;  Sarah  J.  Mynderse,  1 754-88  ;  Alida  M.  Wemple, 
1791.  4.  Margai-ieta  Groenendyck,  1734 ;  Geertruy  J.  Myn- 
derse, 1754-88.  5.  Geertruy  Mynderse,  1754  ;  Margarita  M. 
Mynderse,  1754-88.  6.  Susanna  Bratt,  1734  ;  Catharina  Akes 
Van  Slyck,  1754  ;  Jannetie  Reyley,  1788. 

27 


210  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


I'.ANK  20, 


l\    Pivdikaiits  Iluysgeziu,  1754-88.    3.    Susanna  Toll,  1754- 

88.     4.     Hesje    Johannese   Toll,    1754-88.     5.     Elisabeth  Ten 
Evck,  1754-88. 


BANK  21. 

1.  Eva  Dellamont,  1734-88.  2.  Catriena  "Van  Petten,  1734  ; 
Catriena  S.  Veeder  1754-88;  Susanna  Roseboom,  1803.  3. 
Cornelia  Bratt,  1 734  ;  Geertruy  Van  Slyck,  1 790.  4.  Grietje 
Bratt,l734  ;  Susanna  Toll,  1754  ;  Catrina  Johannese  Glen,  '788. 
5.     Margarita  A.  Peeck,  1 754-88. 


BANK  22. 

1.  Maria  Van  Brackell,l734  ;  Maria  Vedder,  1754  ;  Helena 
Veeder,  1788.  2.  Tryntje  Bratt  1734:  Eva  Peek,  1754-88. 
3.  Maritie  Glen,  1734;  Maria  Van  Ej>s,  1754;  Elisabeth  P. 
Van  Gysling,  1788.  4.  Maria  Yates,  1734;  Maria  Smith, 
1754  88.     5.     Sara  A.  Yates,  1754;  Eva  C.  Yates,  1788. 


BANK  23. 

1.  Helena  Wemp,  1734:  Helena  Bratt,  1754;  Helena  C 
Yates,  1788.  2.  Elisabeth  Yates,  1793.  3.  Gerzina  De 
Graaf,  1734-88  Susanna  DeGraaf,  1809.  4.  Susanna  Arentse 
Bratt,  1734;  Susanna  P.  Mebie,  1754;  Maria  Mebie,  1788.  5- 
Margarieta  Wemjile  1754-88. 


HANK  24. 

1.     Anna  Van  Dyck,  :734;  Aegje  Danielse  [Van  Antwerp],* 
1754  ;  Ariaantje  Yates,  1788.    2.    Jacomyntje  Van  Dyck,  1734  ; 
Maria  Wendell,  1754-88.     3.     Maria   Danielse   Van    Antwerp, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  211 

1734;  Engeltje    Van    Antwerp,     1754-88.     4.     Anna   Pieterse 

Danielse  [Van  Antwerp],  1734;  Eiigeltie  Groot,  1754;  Ainiatie 
Groot,  1754;  Margarieta  A.  Van  t:ps,  1788.  5.  Neeltje  Van 
Antwerp,  1754-88. 


BAXK  25. 

1.  Catrina  Jacobse  Mebie,  1734-54;  Margarita  Brouwer 
Bancker,  1788.  2.  Margarieta  Mebie,  1734;  Anna  Jac : 
Mebie,  1754  ;  Anna  Clute,  1788.  3.  Maritie  Pieterse  Danielse 
[Van  Antwerp],  1734-88.  4.  Sara  Reyley,  Huy«vrouw  van 
Daniel  Fort,  1734-88;  Catrina  B.  Bancker,  1792.  5.  Raghel 
Vrooman,  1754-88  ;  Catharina  Marselis,  1803. 


BANK  26. 

1.  Helena  Post,  1734-88;  Margarieta  Van  Santvoorcl,  1803. 
2.  GezinaDeGraaf,  1734-54;  GesinaVedder  1788.  3.  Debora 
Van  Gysling,  1754  ;  Debora  SAvits,  1788;  Debora  N.  Hall,  1803. 
4.  Margarietie  Bratt,  1734;  Claartje  Vrooman,  1754-88.  5, 
Margarieta  Cornelise  Vrooman,  1754  ;  Elisabeth  Bratt  Vrooman, 
1794. 


BAKK  27. 

1.  Engeltie  Bratt,  1754;  Margarieta  D.  McKinney,  1788.  2. 
Maria  P.  Vrooman,  1754;  Aimatie  Johannese  Vedder,  1788.  3. 
Helena  Van  Deusen,  )  ^l^-^    4.  Jenneke  Truax,  ) 

Doghter  Van  Elisabeth  Haff,    K  .^«  ^^^^^^^^       \  an  ^  1754; 

*=  '    )  1788.        Johannes  Truex ) 

Ue   kerk,    1793 ;  Elisabeth   Johannese    Quackenbos,    1794.     5. 
Jacomyntje  Schermerhorn,  1754;  Debora   Schermerhorn,  1788. 


BANK  28. 
Vacant. 


212  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


BANK  29. 


1.  Anna  Quackenbos,  1734-54  ;  Anna  Isaacse  Quackenbos, 
1788.  2.  Geertruy  Van  Vranken,  ]  734  ;  Catharina  C.  Mebie, 
1788.  3.  NeeltjeVeflder,  1734-54;  Sara  Schermerhorn,  1788. 
4.  Catrina  Arentse  Vedder,  1754-88;  Sarah  Joliannese  Toll, 
1794.     5.    Elisabeth  Quackenbos,  1754-88. 


BANK  30. 

1.  Alida  Toll,  1734-88.  2.  Anneke  Toll,  1754-88.  3.  Effie 
Toll,  1754-88.  4.  Folkie  Vedder,  1754;  Ariaantje  L.  Van 
Vranken,  1788;  De  kerJce,  1803  ;  Angelica  Vrooman,  1810.  5. 
Elisabeth  Fairly,  1754-88. 


BANK  31. 

1.  Susanna  Bragham,  1734;  Catrina  Swits,  1754;  Catrina 
S.  Bratt,  1794;  Catharina  Peek,  1803.  2.  Eva  Groot,  1734; 
Doortie  Vrooraan,  1754-88  ;  Maria  Van  Slyck,  1803.  3.  Cata- 
rina  Veeder,  1734-54;  Catharina  W.  Teller,  1788.  4.  Anna 
Arentse  Bratt,  1734-88;  Elisabeth  Cornelise  Bratt,  1801.  5. 
Catrina  Van  der  Heyden,  1754;  Engeltie  Jacobuse  Van  Eps, 
1788. 


BANK  32. 

1.  Elisabeth  Groot,  1734;  Rebecca  J.  Quackenbos,  1754-8^. 
2.  Catrjntje  Van  Brakel,  1 734  ;  Marya  Lagrange ;  Ariaantie 
Vander  Volgen,  1754-88.  3.  Elisabeth  Van  Sice,  1754; 
Francina  Van  Ingen,  1788.  4.  Sara  lsVa.Y^e\.h,  weduwe,  1734; 
Sara  Lighthall,  17? 4-88.     5.     Sara  Peek,  1754-88. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  213 

BANK  33. 

1.  Catriiui  Bartlio  Viooman,  I  754  ;  Catriua  Peek,  1188.  2. 
Angenitie  Dauielse  [Vau  Antwerp],  1 734  ;  Angenitie  Van  Slyck, 
1754;  Susanna  Van  Antwerp,  1788.  3.  Marya  Groot,  J734-88. 
4  Eva  Yates  1734;  Jannetie  Cornelise  Van  Slyck  ;  Christina 
Van  Slyck,  1754;  Susanna  Pieterse,  1788.  5.  Catrina  Van 
Slyck,  Wedinoe,  1734;  Maria  Jacobuse  Mynderse,  1754; 
Margarieta  J.  Mynderse,  1788. 

BANK  34. 

1.  Maike  Van  Petten,  1734;  Gertie  Van  Petten,  1754-88. 
2.  Metie  Fairly  1734-88;  De  Kerke,  1792;  Engeltie  Campbell, 
1793.  3.  AntjeSchermerhorn,  1734;  Debora  Kettle,  1754-88; 
Annatie  Beck  Van  Gyseling,  1791.  4.  Janne  Van  Petten, 
1734;  Jannetie  Clement,  1754;  Marytje  Bratt,  1788.  5- 
Geesie  Vrooman,  1754-88. 

BANK  35. 

1.  Marytje  Vrooman,  1734;  Jannetie  Fonda,  vrouw  van 
Jellis  Fonda,  1788;  Alida  A.  Vedder,  1801.  2.  Folkie  Wemp, 
1734,  Jannetie  Stoffelse  Yates,  1788.  3.  Margarieta  Veeder, 
weduwe,  1734;  Folkie  Veeder,  1788;  Ariaantje  L.  Van  Vran- 
ken,  1803.  4.  Engeltie  Van  Driessen,  1754-88.  5.  Engeltie 
Lansing.  1734;  Folkie  Swits.  1788. 

BANK  36. 

1.  Margarieta  Ten  Eyck,  1734;  Margarita  Jac :  Ten  Eyck, 
1754;  Anna   S.    Ten  Eyck,   1788.     2.     Ragheltie    Ten    Eyck, 

1754.  RaghelTe.  Eyck,  1787.  ^::^;"^!X^;  }     1799. 

3.  Debora  Sanders   /r«ysi.ro«»,  I     ^^         Sara  Sanders,  1799. 

van  John  Sanders  Jr.,    j 

4.  Elisabeth  Sanders,"^  1754 

dogter  van  John  S-   tot        5.     Catrina  Hendricke  Veeder, 
Sanders,)  1788. 
1754-88. 


214  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

BANK  37. 

1.     Margarita  Van  Slyck,  1754-88.  Catliarina  H.  Van  Slyck, 

1797.     2.     Hek'na  Van  Slyck,  1734  ;  Elisabeth  Visger,  1754-88. 

Caatie    Van     Slyck    1754-88.      4.      Sophia     Pieterse,     1734; 

Margarieta   Peterse,    1754-88:    Engcltie   P.    Truex,    1800.     5. 

T         i-      t:»     1      i»7-«      Elisabeth  (4k'n,  doghter)      ,„oo 
Jannc'tie   Revlv,  17o4  ;  rr  '      f,,       V     1788. 

•  -'  van  Henry  Glen,  j 


BANK  38. 

1.  Ariaantje  Wemp,  1734;  Hcsje  Toll;  Annnatie  Glen 
1754-88.  2.  Mary  a  Wemp,  1734;  Susanna  Fonda,  1754; 
Rebecca  Yates,  1788.  3.  Rebecca  Glen,  1734;  Cathryna 
"Wendell,  1754-88.  4.  Gesina  Swits,  1734  ;  Susanna  DeGraaf, 
1754-88.     5.     Sara  Abrahamse  Glen.  1754-88. 


BANK  39. 

1.  Elisabeth  Yates,  1734;  Sara  Ephraim  Smith,  1788.  2. 
Maritie  Vrooman,  1734  ;  Engeltie  Veeder,  1788;  Engeltie  Ar : 
Bradt  Dens,  1734.  3.  Ragheltie  Fonda,  1734  ;  Rachel 
Nieuwkerk,  1788;  Tanneke  DeGraaf,  1794.  5.  Anna  Beck, 
1734;  Christina  Isaacse  Truex,  1788;  Hannah  Moyston,  1805. 
5.     Maria  Stevens,  1788  ;  Catliarina  Stuart   1794. 


BANK  40. 

1.  Jannetie  Bradt,  1734;  Maria  L.  Vrooman,  1788.  2. 
Baata  Marinus,  1734;  Annatie  Vrooman,  1754;  Engeltie  Vroo- 
man, 1788.  3.  Sara  Smith,  1734;  Sara  Van  Eps,  1788.  4. 
Neeltie  P.  (?)  Van  Eps,  1734;  Elisabeth  Van  Vorst,  1788.  5. 
Sarah  Marselis,  1754;  Eva  Yates  Jr.,  1788;  Sarah  Peek,  1810. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  215 

BANK  41. 

1.  Engeltie  Schermerhorn,  17-^4;  Engeltie  Veeder,  1788. 
2.  Altie  DeGvaaf,  1734  :  Eva  Schermerhorn,  1788.  3.  Jacoinyii- 
tie  Pottman,  1734;  Cornelia  J.  Barhydt,  1788;  Nancy  J. 
Barhydt,  1811.  4.  Eva  Marselis,  1734;  Sara  Marselis  Jr., 
1754-88.     5.     Caatje  Condie,  1788. 


BANK  42. 

1.  Leja  Stevens,  1^34;  Maria  Hagadorn,  1754;  Annatje 
Connor,  1788.  2.  Dienlje  Hagadorn,  1734;  Rachel  Barhydt, 
1788.  3.  Elisabeth  Brouwer,  1734;  Margareta  Van  de 
Bogart,  1788.  4,  Annatje  W.  Veeder,  1734;  Jannetie  Jos: 
Yates  Cuyler,  1788.    5.    Elisabeth  Jos  :  Yates  Van  Slyck,  1788. 


BANK  43. 

1.  Sartje  Danielse  Van  Antwerp,  1734;  Ainiatie  Wesselse, 
1754-88.  2.  Marya  Danielse  Van  Antwerp,  1  734-88  ;  Geertruy 
Vander  Heyden,  1809.  3.  Rebecca  Danielse  Van  Antwerp, 
1734-88;  Rebecca  Putman,  1809.  4.  Hillegonda  Van  Vranken, 
1754-88.     5,     Margarieta  Vrooman,  1788. 


BANK  44. 

1.  Catrina  Colon,  1754;  Lena  Oothout,  1788.  2.  Jannetje 
Bratt,  1788.  3.  Magdalena  Oothout,  1788;  Margarieta 
Oothout,  1791.  4.  Elisabeth  A.  Joh :  Potman,  1788.  5. 
Margarieta  Albertse  Vedder,  1788. 


BANK  45. 

1.     Catrina  Symon    Vrooman,  1734;  Lena    Vrooman,    1788, 
2.     Catharina  Glen,  1734  ;  Helena  Wemple,  1788.    3.    Susanna 


2 1 G  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

Glen,  1734;  Rachel  Wemple,  17«8.  4.  Anna  Truex,  1734; 
Elisabeth  Al) :  Truax,  1754-88;  Elisabeth  Collon.  5.  Rachel 
Clute,  1788;  Rachel  Goiizalis,  1801.  6.  Margarietje  Jno : 
Bapt:  Van  Vorst,  1788. 

BANK  46. 

1.  Elisabeth  DeGraaf,  1734  ;  Margarieta  Jesse  Van  Slyck, 
1788.  2.  Anneke  DeGraaf,  1734;  Alida  DeGraaf,  1754; 
Ariaantje  Van  de  Bogart,  1748.  3.  Maria  DeGraaf,  1734-88. 
4.  Ariaantje  Schermerhorn,  1 734 ;  Alida  Clement,  1788.  5. 
Catrina  Hall,  1754-88;  Maria  Jac:  Vedder,  1791.  6.  Anneke 
DeGraaf,  1788. 


BANK  47. 

1.  Eytie  Vrooman,  1734;  Maritje  Jac:  Vrooman,  1788.  2. 
Maria  Isaaese  Vroomau,  1734;  Maria  Marselis,  1788.  3. 
Johanna  Van  Vorst,  1734;  Sara  Marselis,  1788.  4.  Weduwe 
Jan  Danielse  [Van  Antwerp],  1734;  Catriena  Johannese  Hall, 
1754  88.  5.  Willemptje  Groot,  1754;  WillemptieMebie,  1788. 
6.     Hester  Van  de  Bogart,  1754  ;  Maria  Albert  Vedder,  1788. 


BANK  48. 

1.  Alida  Wemp,  1734;  Cornelia  Brouwer,  1754;  Catharina 
Van  Antwerp,  1788.  2  Lena  Fonda,  1734;  Brechje  Van 
Slyck,  1754;  Clara  Van  Slyck,  1788.  3.  Annatie  Van  Vleck, 
1734;  Catharina  Van  Olinda,  1788.  4.  Debora  DeGraaf,  1734; 
Elisabeth  Clute,  1 788.  5.  Maria  Van  Vleck,  1754 ;  Maria 
Dellamont,  1788.     6.     Maria  H.  Brouwer,  1754-88. 


BANK  49. 

1.  Maritie  Brouwers,  1734;  Elisabeth  Brouwers,  1754;  Elisa- 
beth  Bratt,  1788.     2.     Lysbet   Toll,  1734;  Neeltje   Johannese 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  217 

Van  Eps,  1754;  Eva  Johannese  Van  Petten,  1788.  3,  Elisa- 
beth Brouwer,  1734;  Elisabeth  H.  Brouwers,  1788.  4.  Maritie 
S.  Veeder,  1734;  Maria  S.  Vedder  (?),  1788.  5.  Catriiia  Van 
de  Bogart,  1734;  Maria  Mc Michael,  (788.  6.  Maritie  Ar:  De 
Graaf,  1734;  Annatie  Vedder,  1788. 


BANK  50. 

1.  Barber  Franse  [Van  de  Bogart]  1734;  Anna  Connor, 
1754;  Maria  Sanderse  Vedder ;  Sara  Sanderse  Vedder;  Mar 
garita  A.  Truex,  1788.  2.  Tryntje  Vrooman,  1734  ;  Catriena 
Yates,  1754-88;  Maria  Marselis  Van  Vranken,  1801.  3.  Maritie 
Swits,  1734;  Maria  Yates,  1754;  Maria  Yates  Teller,  1788. 
4.  Maria  Van  Antwerp,  J  734 ;  Ariaantje  G.  Van  Antwerp, 
1754-88.  5.  Margarieta  Vedder,  1754;  Annatie  Albert  Ved- 
der, 1788.     6.     Elisabeth  Johannese  Van  Eps,  1754-88. 


BANK  51. 

1.  Gesina  Vrooman,  1734;  Neeltie  Van  Antwerp,  1754; 
Sophia  Wessels,  1788.  2.  Maritie  Van  Brakell,  1734  ;  Hester 
Vrooman,  1754;  Marya  Ja:  Heemstraat,  1788.  3.  Jannetie 
Cornelise  Van  Slyck,  1734;  Geesie  Schermerhorn,  1754-88.  4. 
Elisabeth  Peek,  1734;  Rebecca  Symonse  Groot,  1754-88.  5. 
Alida  WemjT,  1734 ;  Eva  Yates,  1754-88  ;  Hubertje  S.  Bratt, 
.1790.  6.  Neeltie  H.  Van  Antwerp,  1734;  Catlyntie  Yates, 
1754-88. 


BANK  52. 

1.  Margarita  Vrooman,  1734;  Eva  Vrooman,  Seth's  Vrouw, 
1754;  Alida  Adam  Vrooman,  1788.  2.  Jannetie  Van  Slyck: 
1734;  Engeltie  Lansing  1754-88.  3.  Maria  Fonda,  1734; 
Eva  Van  Schaick,  1754  ;  Antie  DeGarmo,  weduwe,  1788  ;  Eva 
H.  Van  Dyck,  1734.  4.  Engeltie  Lansing,  1754  :  Helena  Adr , 
Van  Slyck,  1788.    Rebecca  Fort,  1734;  Susanna  Cornelise  Van 

28 


218  IIISTOPtY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


de  Vol«ren,  17'»4-88.     6.     M:irya  Fort  1184;  Maria  F.    Voeder, 
l7o4-88.     7.     Engelina  Van  Slyc-k,  1734-54;  Catharina   Stiers, 

1788. 


HANK   53. 

1.  Margarieta  H.  Van  Slyck.  1754-88.  2.  Sara  Vedder, 
1754|:  Sara  Van  TetttMi.  n8S.  3.  Mnglitelt  Lansing.  1754: 
liuth  Lansing  1788  ;  xVnnatje  Jac:  Bei'knian,  1799.  4.  lireglije 
Van  Guysling,  1754;  Siister  Peek,  1788  ;  Nancy  A.  Peek,  1809. 
5.  Mieice  Bratt,  1 754 ;  ^nliatie  Berref,  ITSS.  6.  Elisabeth 
Groot,  1754;  Neeltie  Groot;  Jaeomyntje  Van  Slyck,  1788.  7. 
Debora  Veeling,  1754-88;  Be  kerke,']!^^. 


15ANK  53. 

1.  Lydia  Van  Slyck,  1734;  Margarieta  H.  Van  Slyck,  1754-88. 
2.  Sara  Vedder,  1734  ;  Sara  Van  Petten,  1754-88.  3.  Rebecca 
Brouwers,  1734;  Magtelt  Lansing,  1754;  Ruth  Lansing,  1788; 
Annatie  Jac  ;  l>eekman,  1790.  4.  Diewer  Viele,  1734;  Breghie 
Van  Gysling,  1754;  Suster  Peek,  1788;  Xaucy_  A  Peek,  1809. 
5.  Mieke  Bratt,  1734-54  ;  Anna  Berret,  1788.  6.  Vredtie 
Van  Vorst,  1734;  Elisabeth  Groot,  1754;  >  eeltie  Groot; 
Jacomyntie  Van  Slyck,  1788  7.  Uebora  Veeling,  1754-88 ; 
De  kerk,  1792. 

BANK  54. 

1.  Anna  Peck,  1734;  Annatie  DeGraaf,  1754-88.  2.  Mar- 
garita Van  de  Bogart,  1734  ;  Marya  Morrison,  1754-88.  3, 
Angenieta  Vrooman,  1734;  Margarieta  .Toh^^Veeder,  1754-88  ; 
The  Church,  1801.  4.  Antje  P.  Clements,  1734 ;  Susanna 
Sixby,  1754-88;  The  Church,  1801.  5.  Margarieta  Bisoe.  1734; 
Maria  Wm.  Beth,  1754  88.  6.  Anna  Smith,  1734  ;  Breghie 
Smith,  1754;  Maria  Abrw^^e  Fonda;  Annatie  Van  de  Bogart, 
1788.  7.  Sarah  Vrooman,  1754 ;  Geertruy  Bosie ;  Sarah  S. 
Schermerhorn,  1788. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  219 

BANK  55. 

1.  Cutrieuii  Bnitt,  1734;  Anna  J.  Eiupie,  1754-88.  2.  Mar- 
garieta  Bratt,  1734  ;  Taniieke  Van  Dyck,  1754  88;  Eve  Wen- 
dell, 1810.  3.  I  iek'na  Bratt,  1734  ;  Jannetie  Joh  :  Scliormer- 
horn,  1754:  Helena  Ogileii,  1788  ;  De  Huysvrouw  van  Dom  : 
Ronieyn  ,  1792.  4.  /\riaantje  l^ratt,  1734-88;  Jannetie  Ai-. 
Van  Petten,  1794.  5.  Debora  VVemp,  1734;  Folekie  Bratt, 
17o4-8S.  ().  Catlintje  Andr:  Bratt,  1734 ;  Annatie  Christ<»- 
Yates,  1754-88.  7.  Rebecca  Wetnp,  1734;  Jaiuictie  Tynis, 
JMaria  Van  Petten,  1 788. 


BANK  56. 

1.  Maria  Ab™-e  Mebie,  1754;  Ragheltje  Fonda  Jr„  1788. 
2.  Sara  Van  Petten,  1754;  Catrina  A.  Bratt,  178*^.  3.  Elisa- 
beth Groot,  1734;  Rebecca  DeGraaf,  1754-88.  4.  Annatie 
G.     Mebie,    1754  ;     Annatie    Erickson,  .1788.     5.      Eve    Van 

Petten,  huysvrouw  van    )  ,^„.        -^       .  c-        ^      i  f-oo        o 

T  1     ^       rr  ,1  >•  17o4  ;     Geertrnv    Swart,     1788.       6. 

Johannes  loll,  j 

Catrina  Stevens,  1754-88  ;  Eve  Mebie. 


BANK  57. 

1.  Neeltie  S.  Van  Eps,  1734-88.  2.  Catrina  Lansing,  1754; 
Debora  Lansing,  1788,  3.  Catrina  Dellamont,  17o4-88.  4. 
Lena  Sanderse  Van  Eps,  1754-88;  De  kerk,  1792.  5.  Mar- 
garieta  Brouwers  [Brown?],  1754  ;  Annatie  Beck  Gnysling, 
1788;  De  kerke,  1791;  Helena  Ogden,  1792.  G.  Maria  Mar- 
selis,  1754-88;   De  kerk. 


15ANK   58. 

1.     Elisabeth  Ph.  Groot,  1754  ;    Neeltie  Ph.  Groot;  Annatie 
Petrus   Groot,  1788.     2.     Alida    Nack,  1754  ;     Alida    Vedder, 


2l>()  IIISTOIIY  of  THE  CHURCH. 

]7SS;  Be  kerk,  \m\.  3.  Margarieta  Van  Slyck,  1754-88.  4. 
Margarieta  Peek,  17r)4  ;  Lena  Peek  Barhydt,  1788.  5.  Elisa- 
beth Isaac  Marselis,  1754-88.  6.  Maria  Areiitse  J.  Vedder, 
1754-8S. 


HANK  59  tot  62. 
De  kerkenraadt. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  221 


APPENDIX  B. 

SCHENECTADY  ACADEMY  AXD  UNION  COIA.VMK. 

Schenectady  Acatleniy,  out  of  wliich  grew  Union  College,  was 
commenced  in  1785.  Domine  Romeyn,  who  came  to  the  village 
the  year  before,  was  the  soul  of  this  new  enterprize.  Through 
his  influence  the  church  was  induced  to  erect  a  commodious 
building,  and  the  citizens  engaged  to  give  it  their  patronage 
and  furnish  it  with  a  library.  After  a  prosperous  existence  of 
nearly  ten  years,  a  College  charter  having  been  obtained,  the 
Academy  property  was  passed  over  into  the  hands  of  its  Trustees. 
The  progress  of  this  undertaking  can  be  clearly  traced  in  the 
minutes  of  the  Consistory.  Their  lirst  official  action  was  taken 
on  the  21st  day  of  February  1785,  when  they  resolved  to  con- 
struct, as  speedily  as  possil)le,  with  the  help  of  the  church,  a 
house  of  two  stories,  witli  two  rooms  in  each  story,  upon  the  lot 
of  ground  belonging  to  the  church  upon  which  the  old  Guard- 
house *  now  stands  ;  and  that  upon  the  completion  of  the  build- 
ing three  of  said  rooms  shall  be  assigned  for  the  use  of  the 
school  and  Academy,  t 

Moreover  on  account  of  the  cost  of  the  Academy  house  to  the 
Church  it  was  resolved  that  said  Church  shall  receive  four  shil- 
lings yearly  from  every  scholar  taught  in  said  house  ;  and  if  said 
Academy  or  Illustre  School  shall  become  changed  into  a  college, 
then  the  President  of  such  College  as  well  as  the  Rector  of  said 
school  shall  be  a  member  of  the  Dutch  Church  and  minister  of 
this  church — and  the  said  four  shillings  for  each  scholar  sliall  be 
bestowed  upon  such  poor  scholars  as  the  Church  shall  name. 

*  After  the  erection  of  the  church  of  1734,  that  of  1715,  standing  at  the 
junction  of  Church  and  State  streets  was  used  as  a  fort  ;  it  was  not  standing  in 
1754,  but  a  Guard  or  Watchhouse  seems  to  have  been  erected  in  its  place. 

+  Bestolen  so  spoedig  als  mogelyk  met  de  hulpe  Van  hun  E.  Gemeente,  een 
Huys  Van  Twee  Verdiepinger  en  twee  Verbrekken  in  yeder  Verdiepinge  te 
Bouwen  op  het  Lot  grondt  tot  de  Kerk  behorende,  daar  tegenswoordigh  het 
Oude  Wacht  buys  staat  ;  sullende  op  volvoeringe  van  het  gebrouw,  drie  van 
desselfs  Vertrekken  worden  of  gesoudert  tot  school  en  Academic  gebruyk. 

— Consistory  minutes. 


IIISTORV  OF  TIIK  ("in'K'Cir. 


March  oth  1785  : — The  consistory  aVwut  this  time  were  still 
iietjotiatiiiu'  with  llic  town  niajjistrates  for  the  improvement 
of  till' Common  schools  {(riviale  schohn)  of  the  town  :uh1  for  the 
estahlishmcnt  of  an  Illiisire  School  or  Academy. 

March  IGth,  178.5: — The  Consistory  onlcr  the  gathering  of 
materials  for  the  Academy  building. 

March  2oth: — It  was  considered  exi)edient  to  l)uild  the 
academy  not  upon  the  old  (xuardhouse  Lot  but  upon  the  North 
corner  of  Union  &  Ferry  streets  on  land  then  belonging  to 
Johannes  Footman  : — ordered  that  building  materials  shall  be 
]»rocnred  as  speedily  as  possible — also  car])enters  and  Masons. 

April  7th  1785  : — The  Academy  building  being  now  well 
under  way  the  Consistory  and  27  respectable  citizens  of  the 
town  met  Reuben  Simonds  [pid)lic]  House  [in  Church  street]  to 
close  the  matter  of  the  Academy  by  signing  articles  of  agree- 
ment for  the  management  &  support  of  said  academy.  * 

The  names  of  these  27  respectable  citizens  were, 


Cornelius  A«i  Van  Slyck, 
Andries  Van  Petten, 
Joseph  Yates, 
Cornelius  Vrooman, 
Samuel  A.  Brat, 
Isaac  Quackenboss, 
Abraham  Swits, 
Gerrit  A.  Lansingh, 
Daniel  Campbell, 
Claes  Van  der  Volgen, 
Peter  Van  Gyseling, 
Chrisf  Yates, 
Heniy  Glen, 
Abraham  Oothout, 


John  Richardson, 
Robeit  Moyston, 
William  Van  Ingen, 
Henry  Glen,  for 
John  Glen, 
Abraham  Fonda, 
Abraham    Oothout,    for 
Harmanus  Bradt, 
Reyn""  Mynderse, 
William  Mead, 
Corns  Van  Dyck, 
Isaac  Vrooman, 
Nicholas  Veeder, 
D.  Romeyn  Prases. 

Signed  in  ])resence  of 

Ab'n  Truex. 
Reuben  Simmonds. 
Mynd*  M.  Wemple. 


*  This  agreement  is  drawn  up  with  great  formality  &  particularity  in  eleven 
sections  &Ts  written  on  fifteen  pages  of  foolscap.  Tt  was  probably  drawn  up 
by  Dr.  Romeyn  who  was  President  of  the  meeting. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  223 


The  first  board  of  Trustees   elected  in  accordance  with  the 
terms  of  tliis  contract,  were  : — 

Do  Dirk  Ronieyn,  I'rcsiduut. 
Dirk  Van  Ingen,  Secretary. 
Abraham  Oothoiit,    Treasurer. 
John  Glen. 
Daniel  Cam})l)e]l. 
Henrv  (tIcu. 

1-  Frey. 

Claas  Van  der  Volgen. 
John  Sanders. 
Peter  Vrooman. 
Dietz. 


April  22nd  178.5: — The  Consistory  o|)j)oint  Wni.  Schermer- 
horn  to  superintend  the  building  of  the  Academy. 

August  1st,  1785: — Committees  both  of  C'itizens  and  Consis- 
tory are  appointed  to  urge  forward  the  Academy  building.  * 

An  effort  was  made  in  1791  to  endow  this  school  by  a  grant 
of  Indian  Lands;  and  November  16th.  D^  Dirk  Van  Ingen 
announced  to  the  Consistory  that  he  and  others  had  rented  10,- 
240  acres  of  land  of  the  Oneida  Indians  for  21  years  on  con- 
sideration that  he  i)aid  after  five  years  £100  yearly  to  said 
Indians.  Dr.  V.  ofi^ered  said  land  to  the  Consistory  to  be  held 
for  the  benefit  of  the  Schenectady  church  in  as  much  as  said 
Academy  unincorporated  could  not  hold  real  estate.  At  first 
the  Consistory  agreed  to  receive  the  land  but  subsequently  gave 
it  up  finding  doubtless  that  it  could  not  be  legally  held  by  the 
Church. 

On  the  second  diy  of  April,  1  7:)3,  the  Trustees  of  the  A\cademy 
ask  that  the  building  erected  by  the  Dutch  church  be  made  over 
unto  them,  to  which  the  Consistory  consented.  And  on  Septem- 
ber 24th,  1706,the  Trustees  of  Union  College  ask  that  the  build- 
ing be  made  over  to  them  uncondilionaliy,  to  ba  sold,  and  the 
money  put  into  a  more  commodious  building  : — on  due  consider- 
ation this  request  was  granted,  aad  the  proceeds  of  this  sale 
with  other  moneys  were  used  in  building  the  present  Union 
School  edifice. 


*  A  stone  of  an  oval  shape  was  built  into  the  front,  on  which  were    cut    the 
names  of  the  building  committee. 

This  stone  is  now  in  Union  College  Museum. 


APl'KNDIX  C. 


37 


38 


39 


40 


41 


42 


43 


44 


45 


46 


47 


35 
34 
33 


31 


30 


29 


28 


27 


26 


25 


24 


23 


14 


21 

20 


19 


15 


16 
17 


18 


Plan  of  the  Church  of  1814. 


48 

1 

96 

95 

6i 

62 

94 

<^3 

93 

64 

92 

65 

91 

66 

90 

67 

89 

68 

88 

69* 

87 

70 

86 

71 

85 

72 

'   84 

73 

83 

74 

82 

75 

81 

76 

80 

79 


77 


78 


49 

1  1  1 

1 

1 

60 


59 


58 


57 


56 


55 


54 


53 


52 


51 


50 


29 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  22' 


NAMES  OP^  THE   PEW-HOLDERS   IN    THE   CHURCH 

OF  1814.* 

No.      1 .  Reserved  for  the  Elders. 

2.  John  N.  Marselis  and  Jno:  Bapt :  Van  Ep])s. 

"       3.  Widow  Volkie  Veeder. 

"       4.  Widow  Jane  Yates. 

*'       5.  Jolui  Sanders  ;  Josepli  Horsfall,  later. 

"       6.  Widow  Rebecca  Van  Vranken. 

"       7.  Abraham  Van  Ingen  ;  Walter  Clute,  later. 

"       8.  Zeger  Van  Santvoord  ;  Jacob  Tiniax,  later. 

"       9.  Cornelius  Van  Santvoord. 

"     10.  Estate  of  C  Roseboom  and  C  Zeger  Van  Santvoord ; 

Margaret  Visger,  later. 

"     11.  Maas  Van  VrankMi  and  Richard  Van  Vi-anken. 

^    "     12.  Harmanus  Peek. 

"     13.  Jacob  M.  DeForest. 

''     14.  Nicholas  A.  Marselis. 

"     15.  Widow  Nancy  Vrooman. 

"     16.  Cornelius  S.  Groot. 

•'     17.  Cornelius  Clute  and  H.  Van  Huysen. 

"     18.  John  Clark. 

"     19.  Harmanus  Veeder. 

"     20.  David  Kittle,   Elizabeth  Ouderkirk   aiul   Margaret 

Steers. 

"     21.  Henry  N.  Van  Petten. 

"     22.  Abraham  S.  Groot  *  *  *  Richd.  Mc Michael. 

"  ■  23.  Rudolph  Van  Huysen  and  Gerrit  Bensen. 

"     24.  John  Yates  ;   1 82 1 ,  John  H.  Moyston,  Robt.  Moys- 

ton  ;  1 825,  made  free  by  the  Consistory. 

''     25.  Joseph  Mynderse. 

"     26.  J  oseph  Mynderse  for  John  B.  Yates,  John  Tonnelier. 

"     27.  Walter  Barheit  &  Nicholas  N.  Marselis. 

"     28.  Myndert  Van  Gysling  and  Elisabeth  Mills. 


*  Prior  to  this  date  the  Congregation  was   seated  according  to  sex  ;  after- 
ward in  families. 


228  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

No.  29.  Wiilt)U'  Maria  Brower. 

"  30.  Miss  Debora  (4r:ihani 

"  31.  Siiuoii  J.  Vaji  Autwerp  and  Plulip  Van  Vorst. 

"  ^^  C  Jeremiah  Fuller, 

'*  34.  Elisabeth  Prince  and  Miss  Van  Gysling. 

"  35.  James  Rosa. 

'•  36.  Stephen  N.  Bayard,  Rev.  Jacob  Van  Vechten. 

"  37.  Jacob  Swits. 

"  38.  Gerrit  S.  Veeder  and  Jell  is  Fonda. 

"  39.  Gornelius  A.  Groot  and  Jolin  R  Truax,  James  V.  S. 

Ryley. 

"  40.  Abraham  Oothout. 

"  41.  Joseph  C.  Yates,  D.  D.  Campbell,  Rev.  Jacob  Van 

Vechten. 

"  42.  Henry  Yates  Jr. 

"  43.  Tobias  A.  Cuyler,  Thomas  Tripp  and  Giles  F.  Yates, 

"  44.  Peter  F.  Wendell  and  Maria  Alexander. 

"  45.  .John  H.  Moyston,  Bartho :   Schermerhorn. 

"  46.  Alex  :  G.  F'onda  and  Jellis  A.  Fonda. 

"  47.  John    S.    Bonny, Trip   and  Tannahill,    Free, 

later. 

"  48.  Joseph  C.  Yates. 

"  49.  Barent  S.  Mynderse. 

"  50.  Free. 

_    "  51.  Henry  Peek. 

"  52.  John  S.  Vrooraan :  M.  T.  Veeder. 

"  53.  Isaac  De  Graaf. 

•'  54.  Abraham  Beck:     Myndert  Vander  Volgen. 

"  55.  John  Haverly  and  Harmanns  A.  Van  Slyck. 

"  56.  Abraham  Van  Eps  and  David  Boyd. 

"  57.  Maas  and  John  S.  Schermerhorn, 

"  58.  Widow  Angelica  Schermerhorn. 

"  59.  Jacob  Beeckman  :    Wid:   Nancy  Beekman. 

"  60.  Joseph  Peek  ;  Jonas  Holland. 

"  61.  J ames  V.  S.  Ryley :    Joseph  Consaul, 

"  62,  Isaac  Riggs. 

"  63.  Philip  R.  Toll :  Frederic  Reese. 

«  64.  John  Veeder  :  Daniel  C.  Bradt. 

''  05.  Abraham  A.  Truax. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  229 

Na  66.     Maas  and  John  S.  Schermerhorn, 
"     67.     John  B.  Vedcler. 
"     68,     Mai-ia  Morrison  and  Peter  Becker. 
"     69.     Sybrant   Van   Schaick ;  A.  Marselis,    John   S.  Ten 

Eyck. 
"     70.     Andrew  N.  Van  Petten ;  Elisabeth    Bancker,  Mar- 
garet Dellamont. 
Gershom  Van  Voast. 
Oliver  Ostrom ;  John  S.  Ten  Eyck. 
Jacob  C.  and  Joseph  Consaul,  Alexander  Vedder. 
Henry  A  Fonda;  Daniel  J.  Toll,   Abraham   Scher- 
merhorn. 
David  Vander  Heyden,  Adrian  Van  Santvoord. 
Joseph  Horsfall. 
John  J.  Peek. 
Aaron  F.  Vedder. 

Thomas  B.  Clinch  :  Aaron  F'arnsworth. 
John  C.  Barheit. 
Widow  Helen  Linn. 
Douwe  Clute. 
Isaac  I.  DeGraaf. 
Jacob  Groesbeck. 

Bartholomew  Clute :  John  B.  Clute. 
Jacob  I.  Clute. 
Daniel  L.  Van  Antwerp. 
88.     Daniel  Vedder. 

89-     Takerus  Vedder,  Elisabeth  Vrooman  and  Catharine 
J.  Schermerhorn. 

90.  Elisabeth  Mercer;  Abraham  Van  Ingen. 

91.  Peter  Browf^r. 

92.  John  I.  and  James  I  Van  Eps. 

93.  Daniel  S.  DeGraaf. 

94.  Widow  Mary  Teller. 

95.  Jacob  Van  Antwerp. 

96.  Deacons'  Pew. 


l( 

71. 

(( 

72. 

(( 

73. 

u 

74. 

n 

75. 

(( 

76. 

u 

77. 

a ' 

78. 

.   (( 

79. 

(( 

80. 

(( 

81. 

(( 

82. 

(( 

83. 

(C 

84. 

li 

85. 

li 

86. 

.  a 

87. 

APPENDIX    L), 


144 


143 


142 


Organ  loft. 


141  I  140 


Pulpit. 


36  ;  137  i   13S  i  139 


145 

146 

135 
134 

86 

87 

147 

133 

88 

1 48 
149 
150 

132 

89 

131 

90 

130 

91 

151 

129 

92 

152 
153 

128 

93 

127 

94 

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155 
156 

126 
125 

95 
96 

97 

124 

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123 

98 

158 

159 
160 

122 

99 

121 
120 
119 

100 

lOI 

102 

161 
162 

118 

103 

163 
164 

117 

104 

116 

105 

165 
166 
167 
168 

115 

106 

114 

I07 

"3 
112 

108^ 
109 

III 

no 

Bride's  door. 


35 


34     33 


26 


27 


28 


85 

84 

1     83 

36 

37 
38 

82 
81  . 
80 

39 
40 

41 

79 

42 

78 

43 

77 

44 

76 

75 

45 
46 

74 
73 

47 
48 

72 

49 

71 

50 

70 

51 

69 

52 

68 

53 

67 
66 
65 

54 
55 
56 

64 

63 
62 
61 

57 
~  58~ 

59 
60 

Stairs  to  gallery. 


32     3i 


29    30 


25 
24 
23 


19 
18 

17 
16 


15 


14 


13 


1)  "O 


Plan  of  Church  of  1863. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


238 


"  Tlie  rent  price  of  Pews  in  the  Reformed  P.  Dutcli  Church, 
Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  July  24th,  1863,  as  reported  to  the  Consis- 
tory by  the  Committee  appointed  by  them  "  : — 


Pew. 

No 

1. 

i( 

2. 

a 

3. 

(b 

4. 

(( 

5. 

(( 

6. 

u 

7. 

.( 

8. 

(1 

9. 

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10. 

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11. 

(( 

12. 

(i 

13. 

4i 

14. 

a 

15. 

u 

16. 

it 

17. 

(C 

18. 

(( 

19. 

a 

20. 

li 

21. 

li 

22. 

ii 

23. 

<c 

24. 

(( 

25. 

(( 

26. 

a 

27. 

a 

28. 

a 

29. 

u 

30. 

a 

31. 

li 

32. 

lu 

33. 

i 

34. 

Lessee. 

Ajigelica  Van  Petten,    . 

B.  L.  Conde,       .... 
S.  O.  Hedden, 

C.  H.  Van  Vranken,  . 
Geo.  B.  McClyman, 

James  G.  Caw,  .... 

Duncan   Robinson, 

Mrs.  T.  Combs  and  Sarah  Swits, 

George  Harding,    . 

James  B.  Chite, 

Mrs.  A.  E.  Harmon, 

Ernestus  Putman, 

Jas.  H.  Barhydt,    . 

Abraham  Veeder, 

Mrs.  Abrm.  Veeder, 

J.  R.  Sitterlee,    . 

N.  J.  Schermerhorn, 

G.  W.  Moon,      . 

A.  Vandermoi-e,.    . 

A.  C.  Van  Eps, 

Jno   Kilraartin, 

Nic.  H.  Vedder, 

Sybrant  Vandebogart,    . 

Angus  Mcintosh, 

Mrs.  Geo.  Fisher,  . 

Deacons,    . 

Miss  Arabella  Fonda,     . 

Mrs.  A.  Lighthall, 

Thos.  Pemberton,  . 


Mrs.  R.  Perry, 


rice. 


10. 

10. 

10. 

10. 

10. 

10. 

10. 
9. 

14. 

16. 

16. 
16. 
16. 
16. 
14. 
11. 
10. 
15. 
16. 
15. 
15. 
14. 

8. 

20. 
22. 
24. 
24. 

8. 

8. 

9. 

9. 


30 


234 


IIISTOKY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Pew 

Lessee. 

Price- 

No. 

;5.'). 

6. 

" 

IH'k 

8. 

•' 

;J7. 

A.  ().  Peterson, 

20. 

ki 

38. 

Kiehard  Murselis,         .... 

8. 

4k 

39. 

Richard  Marselis,            .... 

12. 

t( 

40. 

Robt.  Stevenson,         .... 

20. 

•  i 

41. 

Daniel  Vedder 

20. 

ii 

42. 

Nicholas  Cain,    .          .                   .          . 

20. 

k( 

43. 

Geo.  ShaiVtle, 

19. 

k( 

44. 

Mrs.  J.  N.  Barhydt 

10. 

ii 

45. 

Charles  N.  Yates,           .... 

15. 

«t 

46, 

Gershom  Banker,        .... 

14. 

>( 

47. 

Harriet  Barringer,           .... 

20. 

u 

48. 

Charles  E.  Angel,       .... 

20. 

a 

49. 

Joseph  Horsfall,    ..... 

16. 

a 

50. 

C.  Van  Slyck,     ..... 

15. 

n 

51. 

H.  T.  Garret, 

16. 

a 

52. 

B.  Schermerhorn,        .... 

16. 

ii 

53. 

Mrs,    Otis  Smith,             .         .         .         . 

14. 

(C 

54. 

Wm.   Clogston,           .... 

16. 

(( 

55. 

Miss  F.  Hook, 

12. 

« 

56. 

Wm.  H.  Schermerhorn, 

15. 

i( 

57. 

J.  L.  Landon, 

15. 

(( 

58. 

Miss  Susan   Veeder, 

15. 

(( 

59. 

Mrs.  Tannahill  and  Max :  Cox, 

15. 

(( 

60. 

Joseph  Harmon,          .... 

15. 

u 

61. 

25. 

u 

62. 

James  Van  Kiiren,      .... 

22. 

(( 

6:i. 

Spencer  Ostrom  and  Jas:  H.  Lighthall,     . 

22. 

u 

64. 

Mrs.    Nath :     Clarke    and    Mrs.    Giles 

Brower,        ...... 

25. 

(( 

65. 

Jacob  N.  Ve4der,         .... 

28. 

k( 

66. 

II.  II.  Swart  and  Peter  Dorsch, 

30. 

l( 

67. 

T.  W.  Van  Brunt,       .... 

30. 

kk 

68. 

Jno.  N.  Vrooman, 

30. 

(( 

69. 

Jno.  Frame  and  Thos :  Cox, 

30. 

(( 

70. 

Wm.  H.  Helmer, 

30. 

(C 

71. 

Aaron  Bariinger,          .... 

30. 

(( 

72. 

Corn  :  S.   Thomson,         .... 

30. 

HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


235 


Pew 

', 

No. 

73. 

(( 

74. 

(( 

75. 

it. 

* 

76. 

n 

77. 

cc 

78. 

il 

79. 

a 

80. 

ii 

81. 

n 

82. 

a 

83. 

a 

84. 

li 

85. 

(( 

86. 

<( 

87. 

a 

88. 

a 

89. 

.i 

90. 

11 

91. 

•  I 

92. 

■  ( 

93. 

(( 

94. 

it, 

95. 

a 

96. 

a 

97. 

a 

98. 

a 

99. 

ii 

100. 

a 

101. 

a 

102. 

a 

103. 

(( 

104. 

(( 

105. 

a 

106. 

a 

107. 

a 

108. 

a 

109. 

a 

110. 

ii 

111. 

Lessee. 

Peter  B.  Yates,    . 
Peter  Holmes, 
Noah?   Vibbard, 
The  Pastor,     . 
Jno.  Consaul, 
Nicholas  Svvnts, 
Caspar  F.  Hoag, 
Alex.  J.  Van  Eps,  . 
S.  V.  Swits, 
Jno.  G  Van  Voast, 
Albert  Van  Voast, 
David  F.  Reese, 


Mrs.  Fonda,  Cady  and  Johnson, 
Albert  A.  Vedder, 
Miss  Deborah  Graham. 
Isaac  Banker, 

Potter,       .         .         .         . 
Jno.  "VV.  Veeder,     . 
Edward  Rosa, 
N.  Van  Vranken,     . 
Martin  DeForeest, 
Simon  C.  Groot, 
Thos.  B.  Mitchell, 
Alex.  M.  Vedder,    . 
Jno.  B.  Clute,      ... 
Abram  Doty, 
Thos.  H  Reeves, 
Wm.  Van  Vranken, 
Jos.  Y.  Van  de  Bogart, 
Jno.  McNee,  .... 
Richd.  V.  Benson, 
Jacob  F.  Clute, 
Isaac  Cain, 

C.  C.  Clute,     .... 
Jno.  G.  Veeder,  . 
John  Southard, 
Jno.  Reaber  and  P.  Frederick, 


Price. 

30. 

30. 

30. 

30. 

34. 

30. 

30. 

30. 

30. 

30. 

30. 

25. 

10. 

10. 

25. 

30. 

30. 

30. 

30. 

30. 

30. 

34. 

30. 

30. 

30. 

30. 

30. 

30 

30. 

30. 

30. 

30. 

30. 

28. 

25. 

22. 

22. 

25. 

15. 


236 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Pew. 

Lessee. 

No. 

112. 

Jno  P.  Becker, 

•' 

ii;5. 

Andrew  Frame. 

- 

114. 

F.  Van  do  Bogart,       *  . 

- 

115. 

Duncan  McDonald,     . 

" 

IIG. 

D.  M.  Kittle, 

- 

117. 

W  ilson  Davis,    . 

- 

118. 

Jno.  Van  de  Bogart, 

i( 

119. 

B.  A.  Mynderse, 

(( 

120. 

Wm.  McKerlie, 

hi 

121. 

Abraham  Vrooman,    . 

a 

122. 

Catharine  Swits,     . 

a 

123. 

Alex.  Holland,  . 

a 

124. 

Nancy  Vedder, 

(( 

125. 

Henry  Furman, 

u 

126. 

Jno.  Van  Antwerp, 

(( 

127. 

G.  L.  Oothout, 

(( 

128. 

George  Ohlen, 

(( 

129. 

Henry  Rosa, 

(( 

130. 

Wra.  Chrisler, 

(( 

131. 

Nicholas  Yates, 

u 

132. 

J.  V.  Vrooman, 

ii 

133. 

Elisabeth  Veeder, 

(i 

134. 

Mrs.  M.  Myers, 

(( 

135. 

C.  C.  Clute, 

a 

136. 

D.  Ketcham, 

li 

137. 

G.  Westinghouse, 

u 

138. 

it 

139. 

Elders,      . 

it 

140, 

n 

141. 

u 

142. 

Jacob  A.  Wick,     . 

u 

143. 

S.  A.  Daggett, 

(( 

144. 

(( 

145. 

(( 

146. 

Charles  Carr  (?),     , 

ii 

147. 

E,  Brinton, 

ii 

148. 

Edw.  Groot, 

u 

149. 

Mrs.  J.  K.  Paige,       . 

i. 

150. 

Mrs.  J.  K.  Paige, 

Pj-ice. 
15. 
15. 
15. 
15! 
12. 
16. 
14. 
16. 
16. 
15. 
20. 
20. 
20. 
14. 
15. 
10. 
19. 
20. 
20. 
20. 
10. 
8. 
20. 
8. 
20. 
20. 
20. 

6. 

9. 

9. 

8. 

8. 

8. 
15. 
15. 
16. 
15. 
15. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


237 


Pew. 

Lessee. 

Price. 

No.  151. 

Mrs.  Stuyvesant, 

12. 

"    152. 

Tayler  Lewis, 

14. 

"    153. 

Miss  Elisabeth  Fuller, 

16. 

'•    154. 

Mary  Toralinson, 

18. 

"    155. 

Albert  Ward,     . 

30. 

"    156. 

38. 

"    157. 

Stephen  Yates,  . 

38. 

"    158. 

Robt.  Furman, 

34. 

"    159. 

Pettingill  and  Kelsey, 

30. 

"    160. 

Nich  :  Van  de  Bogart,    . 

30. 

"    161. 

A.  Truax, 

28. 

"    162. 

Young  &  Graham, 

20. 

«    163. 

Mrs.  J.  C.  Van  Vranken,    . 

12. 

"    164. 

O.  S.  LuflPman, 

11. 

"    165. 

Lewis  I.  Barhydt, 

11. 

"    166. 

Jane  Timesen, 

10. 

"    167. 

Maria  Van  Slyck, 

8. 

«    168. 

Harmen  Van  Eps, 

8. 

APPENDIX  E. 


Twenty-nine  leases  assigned  to  the  Church  December  30th5 
1147,  by  Jan  Wemp  and  Arent  Bratt,  Patentees  of  Schenec- 
tady: 

"  One  Indenture  from  Karel  Hanse  Tol,  Gerrit  Van  Brakelen, 
Aswerus  Marselis,  Caleb  Beck  and  Company. 
One  from  Pieter  Vrooman. 

do         Laurens  Claase  [Vander  Volgen]. 
do         Jan  Mabey, 
Also  the  following  given  by  Col.  Peter  Schuyler,  Johannes 
Sanderse  Glen,  Adam  Vrooman,  Geysbert  Marselis  and  Com- 
pany: 


•J'.ix  IIISTOUY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

One  ludciitnre  ijiven  V)y  Benjamin  Lanyen, 

Jacobus  Pceck, 

.I:iii  Danic'lse  [Van  Antwerpen], 

Ji'Uis  Fonda, 

Philip  Schuyler, 

AV)m.  &  Dirk  Groot, 

Abraham  Wendell, 

Pieter  Vrooman, 

Evert  Van  Eps, 

Hendrick  Vrooman, 

Sander  Philipse, 

Claas  tfc  Tjerk  T'l-anse  [ Vander  BogartJ, 

Arent   Daiiielse    [Van   Antwerpen], 

Arent  Vedder, 

Jan  Danielse  [Van  Antwerpen], 

Gerrit  Gysbertse  [Van  Bi-akelen], 

Dirk  Bratt, 

John  Lench, 

Jan  Baptist  &  Jellis  Fonda, 

Johannes  Mynderse, 

Jan  Philipse, 

Samuel  Bratt, 

Ahasuerus  Marselis, 

Jan  Vrooman, 

Karel  Hansen  [Toll]. 
We,  hereunder  written,  do  hereby  Certify  that  we  have  re- 
ceived the  above  mentioned  Indentures  for  the  behoof  of  the 
Church  Wardens  pr  us, 

Peter  Groenendyck, 
Johannes  A.  Vedder, 
John  Sanders, 
Gerrit  A.  Lansincrh.'' 


Church  quitrents,  25th  May,  17o0. 

.2f)th  May,  1750. 

"  Gissinge  van  de  lyst  aengaaiide  (juit  't  gene 
de  Trustees  op  hunue  zyde  gestelt  hebben,  ende  kkraad  meent 
<le  kerke,  toe  te  komen,  van  Art.  Bratt  gesond  den  26th  May, 
1750.     Also  mv  de  men  ate  outbreeckt. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH.  239 


Tarwe.  Skiples. 

Cornells  Van  Slyck, 2f  *&  .5  g. 

Hend :  Flipse  nii  Pr.  Daniolso t- 

Van  Pr.  Vrooman  erfgenanion, 'i^- 

Johannes  Peeck, '^  1-5. 

Jillis  Van  Vorst  nu  Gr.  Van  Vorst, 0^. 

N.  B. — nu  oi)  hun  Lyst  7  Schep, 

Jan  Baptist  Van  Ebs, 5. 

Jonatan  Stevens,   1717, 8. 

Corn  :  Groot, 6.     ; 

N.  B  — mischien  maet  dit  luaer  3  zyn, 

Evert  van  Ebs,  1712, 1^- 

Gr.  Gysbertse  [Van  Brakelen],  1717, H. 

Cornl.  Slingerland,  1718, 1^. 

Adam  Vroom,  1719, 1^. 

John  ColUns,  nu  d'erfgenamen  V.  andries  van  Sleyck,     ^. 
Saml.  Bratt,  1706, i- 


[50.] 


Gelt.  £.  S.  D. 

Johan:  Van  Antwerpen, 0-09-0 

Gysbert  Marselis  Jr., 09 

Philip   Livingston  voor  't  Landt  van  Dirk  Groot. .  .  10 

Pieter  Brouwer  &  Broeders, 04-6 

Abrah  :  nu  Gerrit  Lansing, 01 

1717,  John  Dumbar, 01 

Joh  :  Cloet  &  Myndert  Wemp, 04 

Douwe  Aukes, 0-00-6 

Albert  Vedder, 1 


[£2-00-0.] 

Bart.  Vrooman, -01  - 

Jan  Wempel, -6 

Hendr  :  Vrooman, -3 

Henrick  Hansen, 1  -00-0 

[£2-02-9.  J 


240  HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Pl.ANCKKN. 

Jan  Wt'inii 10 

.Toll  :  Tiller 10 


[20.] 
Wegens  de  Tarw    quit  dient   oiiderrechtinge   omtrent  eenige 

Schriften    van    de   zo  genoemde    Slmcksche  Trustees    door   de 

andere  te  confirmeren  en  ons  overgelevert. 

Uytgift  tydt.  Betaling  tydt.  Schep: 

1705-6.     Thomas  Srait,         -         170G-7,         -         -  |. 

1706-7.     Dirck  Bratt,       -         -     1713.       -         -         -      3-9. 
N.  B. — dit  is   voor  Rosendal   niet   wel   geteykent 

maer  echter  van  hem  besetz  Dog  1718  gpset  ap,      -  1- 

Claes  en  Tjerk  Frausen  [Van  de  Bogart],  -         .        2. 


[4]. 
N.  B. — dit  is   oock  mit   geteykent  maar  't   schynt 
gezet  want  het  geteykt  is  van  getuyge. — 

0-1  quad. 

1. 

1. 

h 
1. 

-    I- 

5. 

-  5. 

-  1. 
£1. 

1  skpiple 
1. 

171.5-6.  Arent  Danielse,         ,         -         -     22. 

Dit  is  voor  't  landt  van  Reyer  VVemp  en  heeft  altyt  in  't 
Boeck  23  gestaen  en  betalt  gewest.  Docli  1 745  liebben  Trusties 
geordonneert  dat  sint  3  schep  :  Voor  hun  zoude  zyn  en  maer 
20  *  *  *  *  de  kerke  enhebben  sy  die3  nasich  getrocken, 
en  dus  tegen 't  schrift  dan  zeker  de  kk:  jaarlycks  2  schep;  te 
kort  gedaen. 


Jan  Philipse, 

1708, 

Hear.   V'rooman, 

-    1711,     - 

Jan  Vrooman, 

1713, 

\brah  :  Wendel, 

-    1713,     - 

1707, 

Arent  Danielse,     - 

1714, 

1707. 

John  Lench, 

-   1713,     - 

Arent  Yedder, 

1713, 

1708. 

Benjamvn  Lanine,     - 

1714,     - 

1700. 

Daniel  Janse, 

1714, 

1705-6 

Jaccibus  Peeck, 
5  jaar  en  dan, 
Sander  Pilipse  £2  huur 

-     1706,     - 

1708. 

to  1720  en  dan. 

1705. 

31  X  ber  Jan  Danielse, 

-       1705-6,        - 

1708. 

Jan  Danielse, 

-     1714,     - 

HISTORY  OF  THE  ClirRCTT.  241 

Fouten    en  't   gene  Vergeten    en    onbekent  is   Uytgesondert. 

Ick  ondergesz ;  attesteren  dese  Copie  accorderen  met  syn 
orrigenal.  P.  Felinck. 

[Note.  Forty-six  leases  in  the  above  list  yielded  a  yearly 
rent  of  90  skijiles  of  wheat  £3-2-9-in  money  and  20  boards.] 


APPENDIX  F. 


ELDERS  AKD    DEACONS. 


These  officers  by  the  charter  of  this  Church  must  be  eight 
in  number — four  elders  and  four  deacons,  each  holding  his  office 
two  years.  The  election  is  held  on  the  first  Saturday  of  Decem- 
ber in  each  year  when  two  of  each  class  are  appointed  and  on 
New  Year's  day  following  ordained  [btvestighf]  and  inducted 
into  office. 

From  the  founding  of  the  church  here  to  1701,  the  number  of 
elders  and  deacons  was  generally  two  each:  After  Domine 
Freerman  came  and  to  Domine  Erichzons'  ministry  in  1728,  the 
number  was  increased  to  three,  and  from  the  latter  date  to  the 
present  time  the  number  has  been  four  each. 

The  following  list  is  as  full  as  the  imperfect  condition  of  the 
consistorial  minutes  will  allow. — 

Deacons.  Elders. 

1680. 

Hendrick  Meese  Vrooman,         , 

Jan  Pootman.  


1683. 

Johannes  Pootman, 
Sweer  Teunise  Van  Velsen. 

1687. 
Johannes  Sanders  Glen.  Myndert  Wemp. 

1688. 
Claas  Lourense  Purmerent,        Sweer  TeuuiseVan  Velsen, 
[Vander  Volgen],  treasr.  Reinier  Schaets, 

31 


242 


iiisTouv  OF  TiiK  cnrijcir. 


Dcat'oiis. 

.\<l:iiii  \"i-tniiii;ui. 
ls;i;u-  Swits. 

Adam  Vrooinaii,  treasr. 
Isaac  Swits, 
Barent  Wt-inp, 
Willi'iii   \\<\K']. 

Isaac-  Swits,  treasr. 

Isaac  Swits,  treasr., 
Barent  Wemp, 
Adam  Vroomau. 


Elders, 


Mviideit   Wcriip 


1689. 
Myiidert  Wemp, 
Fraiis  Ilarmense  Van  de  Bo<;art. 


1690. 

1691. 
Johannes  Sanderse  Glen. 


Barent  Wemj),  treasr., 
A.dam  Vrooman. 

Adam  Vrooman,  treasr., 
Jacobus  Peek. 


1692. 
Johannes  Sanderse  Glen, 
Isaac  Swits. 
1693. 
Isaac  Swits, 
Barent  Wemp. 
1694. 
Johannes  Ilendrickse  Vrooman,  Johannes  Sanderse  Glen, 
Jacobus  Peek,  treasr.,  Barent  Wemp. 

Adam  Vrooman. 

1695. 
Arent  Vedder,  Claas  Lourense  Van  der  Volgen. 

Johannes  Ilendrickse  Vrooman.  Johannes  Sanderse  Glen. 

1696. 

Jacobus  Peek, 

Claas  Laurense  Van  der  Volcjen. 
1697. 

Isaak  Swits, 
Jacobus  Peek.    — ~ 
1698. 

Adam  Vrooman, 
Isaak  Swits. 
1699. 

Johannes  Sanderse  Glen, 
Adam  Vrooman. 


Dirk  Arentse  Bratt, 
Arent  Vedder,  treasr. 

Harmen  Vedder, 

Dirk  Arentse  Bratt,  treasr 

Abraham  Groot, 
TIarmen  Vedder,  treasr. 


Johannes  Vrooman, 
Abi-m.  Groot,  treasr 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


243 


Diaconen. 


Jacobus  Van  Dyck,  treasr 
Johannes  Vvoonian. 

Ryer  Scherniorhorn, 
Gerrit  Syraonse  [Veeder], 
Jacobus  Van  Dyck. 


Ouderiingen. 
1700. 

Jacobus  Peek,      "" — ' 
Joliannes  Sanderse  Glen. 
1701  * 

Adam  Vrooraan, 
Barent  Wemp, 
Jacobus  Peek.      .^ 
1702. 
Daniel  Janse  [Van  Antwerpen],  Isaac  Swits, 
Ryer  Schermerhorn,        )_  ^^^^^j.  Adam  Vrooman, 
Gerrit  Symonse[Veedev])  Barent  Wemp. 

1703, 
Nicolaas  Van  Petten,  Nicolaas  Van  der  Volgen, 

Johannes  Glen,  Johannes  Vrooman, 

Dan'l  Janse[Van  Antwerpen]treasr  Isaac  Swits. 

1704. 
Johannes  Teller,  Ryer  Schermerhorn, 

Nicolaas  Van  Petten,)  ^ Nicolaas  Vander  Volgen, 


Johannes  Glen. 


-Ill  )  * 
y  tr( 


Gysbert  V  an  Brakelen, 
Jan  Wemp, 
Johannes  Teller 

Johannes  Teller,  t 

Johannes  Teller. 

Johannes  Teller. 

Barent  Wemp, 
Johannes  Wemp, 
Johannes  Teller. 

Johannes  Teller. 


Johannes  Vrooman. 
1705. 

Isaac  Swits, 

Barent  Wemp, 

Ryer  Schermerhorn. 
1706. 

Ryer  Schermerhorn,  f 
1707, 

Ryer  Schermerhorn, 
1708, 

Ryer  Schermerhorn. 
1709. 

Ryer  Schermerhorn, 

Gysbert  Gerritse[VanBrakelen] 

1710, 

Ryer  Schermerhorn. 


*  After  this  date  the  number  of  Deacons  and  Elders  was  increased. 
t  Johannes  Teller  and  Ryer  Schermerhorn  managed  the  finances  from  1 706 
to  1 7 13  :     During  this  time  there  was  no  minister. 


■JU 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Diaconeii. 

Johannes  Teller. 

Johannes  Teller. 

.Ian  Wenip, 

Volkert  Syraonse  [Veeder]. 

Volkeit  Symonge  [Veeder], 
Symon  Swits. 

Volkeit  Veeder,  treasr. 
Symon  Swits- 

Jan  Dellamont, 

Symon  Swits, 

Volkert  Symonse  [Veeder]. 

Jan  Dellamont, 
Barent  Vrooman, 
Arent  Bratt. 

Barent  Vrooman,  treasr. 
Arent  Bratt, 
Albert  Vedder. 

Johannes  Teller, 

Volkert  Symonse  [Veeder], 

Harmen  Vedder. 

Harmanus  Vedder,  treasr. 
Syraon  Vrooman, 

Nicolaas  Schuyler,  treasr. 

Dirk  Groot,  treasr. 


Ouderlingen. 
1711. 

Ryer  Schernierhorn. 
1712. 

liycr  Scherraerhom. 
1713. 

Barent  Wemp, 

Gerrit  Symonse  [Veeder] , 
1714. 

Gerrit  Symonse  [Veeder], 

Johannes  Sanderse  Glen. 
1715. 

Gerrit  Sanderse  [Veeder], 

Johannes  Sanderse  Glen. 
1716. 

Jacobus  Van  Dyck, 

Gerrit  Symonse  [Veeder], 

Johannes  Sanderse  Glen, 
1717. 

Jan  Wemp, 

Abrabam  Groot, 

Jacobxis  Van  Dyck. 
1718. 

Abraham  Groot, 

Johannes  Wemp, 

Johannes  Vrooman. 
1720. 

Hendrick  Vrooman, 

Arent  Bratt. 

Jacobus  Van  Dyck. 
1721. 

Jacobus  Van  Dyck, 

Adam  Vrooman, 
1722.  *• 

1723. 


•  From  1722  to  1728  Doraine  Brouwer  was  sick  and  unable  to  officiate. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


24') 


Diaconen. 

Arent  B^att. 

Arnout  DeGraaf . 

Cornells  Vander  Volgen, 
Wilhelmus  Veeder, 
Jacob  Glen. 

Jacob  Swits, 
Robert  Yates. 

Robert  Yates,  treasr. 
Jan  Barentse  Wemp, 
Wouter  Vrooman.. 


C.  Van  der  Volgen, 
Wouter  Vrooman, 
Abraham  DeGraaf, 
Jan  Barentse  Wemp,  treasr. 

Sander  Glen, 
Myndert  Wympel, 
Cornells  Van  Dyck,  treasr. 
Abraham  DeGraaf. 

Sander  Glen, 
Myndert  Wympel, 
Abraham  Truax, 
Sander  Lansing. 

Sander  Lansing,  treasr. 
Abraham  Truax, 
Abraham  Glen, 
Arent  Samuelse  Bratt. 


Ouderlingen. 


1724. 


1725. 


1728. 

Arent  Danlelse  [  VanAntwerpen] 

Nlcolaas  Schuyler, 

Symon  Vrooman. 
1729. 

Arent  Bratt. 

1730.  * 

Saml.  Arentse  Bratt, 

Jacobus  Van  Dyck, 

Dirk  Groot, 

Cornells  Vander  Volgen. 
1731. 

S.  Arentse  Bratt, 

Dirk  Groot, 

Abraham  Mebie, 

Harmanus  Vedder. 

1732. 

Abraham  Mebie, 

Harmanus  Vedder, 

Arent  Bratt, 

Jacob  Glen. 
1733. 

Arent  Bratt, 

Harmanus  Vedder, 

Gerrit  Sy mouse  [Veeder], 

Jan  Barentse  Wemp. 
1734. 

Symon  Vrooman, 

Robert  Yates, 

Jan  Bai'entse  Wemp, 

Gerrit  Syraonse  Veeder. 


*  From  this  date  the  number  of  Deacons  and  Elders  was  four  each. 


246 


IIISTOIJV  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Diaconen. 

Is.-iiic  Truiix.  tivasr. 
Alu'uliiuu  (ileii, 
Aiviit  Siimiu'lst'  Urutt. 

Heiulrick  Vrooniaii,  Jr. 
Aiidrics  Van  Petten, 
Isaac  Tniex, 
Hendrick  Brouwer. 

HeiKlric'k  Vrooman, 
Willem  Teller, 
Hendrick  Brouwer, 
Barent  Wemp. 


Abraham  Glen, 

Harmanus  Van  Antwerpen, 

Alexander  Van  Eps. 

Johannes  Bratt, 
Hendrick  Van  Rensselaer.  * 
Pieter  Groenendyck, 
Alexander  Van  Eps,  treasr. 

Pieter  Groenendyck, 
Alexander  Vedder, 
Johannes  Bratt,  treasr. 


Ouderlingen. 
17;^-). 

iSinion  Vrooman, 
Robert  Yates. 

173G. 

Arent  Danielse[VanAnl  werpen] 

Xicolaas  Schuyler, 

Abraham  I)e(4roff, 

Helmer  Veeder. 
1737. 

Abraham  DeGraaf, 

Abraham  Mebie, 

Wilhelrans  Veeder, 

Arent  Bratt. 
1738. 

Abraham  Mebie, 

Sander  Lansing, 

Jacob  Glen. 
1739. 

Isaac  Truax. 
1740, 

Arent  Danielse[Van  Antwerpen] 

C.  Van  Dyck. 

1741. 

Daniel  DeGraaf, 
C.  Van  Dyck, 
Vrooman, 


Arent  Danielse[Van  Antwerpen. 
1742. 

Jan  Barentse  Wemp, 
Abraham  IVIebie, 
Arent  DanielseVan  Antwerpen, 
Abraham  Glen. 


*  H.  V.    Rensselaer  moved  to    Claverack  and  P.  Groenendyck  was   chosen 
in  his  place  in  March,  1741. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHUUCII. 


247 


Diuconeii. 


Nicolaas  Groot, 
Nicolaas  Aventse  Van  Petleii, 
Pieter  (ii-oeneiidyck, 
Alexander  Vedder. 

Meindert  Meindertse, 

Johannes  Veder, 

Nicolaas  Groot, 

Nicolaas  \rentse  Van  Petten. 

Audries  Arentse  Bratt, 
Albert  Arentse  Vedder, 
Myndert  Myndertse, 
Johannes  Veder. 

Cornells  Van  Slyck, 
John  Sanders. 

Gerrit  Lansing, 
Gerrit  Van  Antwerpen. 

Jacobus  Van  Slyck, 
Joseph  Robertse  Yates. 

Seth  Vrooman, 
Jacobus  Meinderts. 

Claas  DeGraaf, 
Johannes  Vischer. 

Isak  Quakkenbos, 
Jan  Baptist  Van  Eps. 

Simon  Tol, 
Johannes  Hall. 


Ouderlingeii. 
1743 

Simon  Swits, 

Jacob  (irlen, 

Jan  Barentse  Wemp, 

Abraham  Mebie. 
1744. 

Isaack  Truex, 

Jacob  Vrooman, 

Simon  Swits, 

Jacob  Glen. 
1745. 

Alexander  Lansing, 

Jacob  Swits, 

Isaac  Truex, 

Jacob  Vrooman. 
1746.  * 

Jacob  Schermerhorn, 

Johannes  Albertse  Vedder. 
1747. 

Abraham  Glen, 

Pieter  Groenendyck. 
1748. 

Jan  Barentse  Wemple, 

Nicolaas  Groot. 
1749. 

Jacob  Glen, 

Daniel  DeGraaf. 
1750. 

Jacob  Vrooman, 

Alexander  Vedder. 
1751. 

Abraham  Tiaiex, 

Willem  Teller. 
1752. 

Hendrick  Brouwer, 

John  Sanders. 


*  The  names  following  this  date  to  1826  are  the  newly  elected  Elders  and 
Deacons  for  each  year  ;  the  full  board  consisted  of  these  and  those  chosen  the 
preceding  year. 


iU8 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Diaconeu.  Ouderlingen. 

1753. 
Elins  Post.  (Tt'rrit  Lansing, 

.lohaiinc's  A.  Van  Antwcrpen.     Cornclis  Van  Slyck. 

1754. 


Tobyas  Ten  Eyck, 
Jellis  Truax. 

Jacobus  Van  E})s, 
Willeni  Schennerhorii. 

Abraham  Yates, 
Pieter  Truex. 

Reynier  Meyndertse, 
Harmen  Peek. 

Abraham  Fonda, 
Takerius  Van  de  Bogart. 


Isaac  Vrooman, 
Isaac  Marselis. 

Claes  Van  der  Volgen, 
Jacob  Fonda. 

Isaac  I.  Swits, 
Harmanus  Bratt. 

Ilendrick  Van  Dyck, 
Cornells  Van  der  Volgen. 

Abraham  Wempel, 
Thomas  Brouwer  Bancker. 

Hendericus  T.  Veeder, 
Reuben  Horsford. 

Caleb  Beck, 

Maas  Van  Vrajiken. 


Abraham  Mebie, 
JosejJi  Robt.  Yates. 

1755. 

Jacob  Olen, 
Jacobus  Meynderts. 

1756. 

Simon  Toll, 
Nicolaas  Groot. 

1757. 

Willem  Teller, 
Abraham  Glen. 

1758. 

Alexander  Vedder, 
Isaak  Quakkenbosch, 
Seth  Vrooman. 

1759. 

Gerrit  A.  Lansing, 
Claas  Van  Petten. 

1760. 
Albert  Vedder, 
Johannes  Sanders, 

1761. 

Reynier  Mynderse, 
Tobias  Ten  Eyck. 

1762. 

Jacob  Van  Slyok, 
Joseph  R.  Yates. 

1763. 

Jacobus  Mynderse, 
Nicolaas  Groot. 

1764. 

Gerrit  A.  Lansing, 
Jan  Bapt.  Van  Eps. 
1765. 

Flenderick  Brouwei*, 
Johannes  Vischer. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


249 


Diaconen. 

Abraliam  Van  Eps, 
Johannes  J.  Vrooman. 

Isaac  I.  Truax, 
Petrus  Yander  Volgen. 

Claas  Veeder, 
Albert  Mebie. 

Zeger  Van  Santvoord, 
Arent  Vedder. 

Jacob  S.  Vrooman, 
Jacob  Cloet. 

Johannes  Cuyler, 
Jan  Baptist  Wendell. 

Cornells  Vrooman, 
Andreas  Truex. 

Adam  Van  Slyck, 
Jacobus  Bratt. 

Simon  Van  Petten, 
Abraham  Swits. 

Asuerus  Marselis, 
Johannes  Visger. 

Johannes  Van  Petten, 
Arent  S.  Vedder. 

Frederick  Clute, 
Abraham  Oothout. 

Jacobus  Teller, 
Johannes  Roseboom. 


Ouderlingen. 
1766. 

Johannes  Sanders, 

Alexander  Vedder. 
1767, 

Daniel  DeGraaf, 

Takerius  Vander  Bogart. 
1768. 

Isaac  Quakkeubosch, 

Tobias  Ten  Eyck. 
1769. 

John  Baptist  Van  Eps, 

Joseph  Yates. 
1770. 

Gerrit  A.  Lansing, 

Abraham  Fonda. 
1771. 

Jacobus  Van  Slyck, 

Reynier  Mynderse. 

1772. 

H  armanus  Bratt, 

Willem  Schermerhorn. 
1773. 

Isaac  Vrooman, 

Nicolaas  Vander  Volgen. 
1774. 

Nicolaas  Van  Petten, 

Caleb  Beck. 
1775. 

Isaak  Swits, 

Abraham  Wemple, 
1776. 

H  armanus  Peek, 

Jacob  S.  Vrooman. 
1777. 

Gerrit  A.  Lansing, 

Johannes  Cuyler. 
1778. 

Arent  Albertse  Vedder, 

Johannes  B.  Van  Eps. 

32 


250 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Diiiconea. 

Asuerus  Nfarselis, 
Johannes  Clement. 

Lancaster  Connor. 
]Myiidert  M.  Wemple. 

John  Weiiii)le, 
Jesse  ])e(Traaf. 

Daniel  Cornu, 
Arent  A.  Vedder. 

Abraham  Dellamont, 
Corn:  Van  Slyck. 

Abraham  Dellamont, 

Cornells  Van  Slyck. 

.Fohannes  Clute, 
Nicolaas  Yates. 

Cornelis  Van  Dyck, 
John  Sanders. 

Johannes  Peek, 
Frans  Veeder. 

Johannes  Myndertse, 
Johannes  Erickson. 

Adam  Vrooman, 
Johannes  Post. 


Ouderlingen. 
1779. 

Daniel  DeCiraaf, 

Corn:  Vander  Volgen. 
1780. 

Tobias  Ten  Eyck, 

Claas  Vedder. 
1781. 

Johannes  Sanders, 

Willem  Schermerhorn. 
1782. 

Claas  Van  der  Volgen, 

Zeger  Van  Santvoord. 
1783. 

Johannes  Cuyler, 

Jacobus  Teller. 
1784. 

Johannes  Cuyler, 

Jacobus  Teller.  * 

1785. 

"Willem  Schermerhorn. 
Johannes  Roseboom. 

1786. 

Abrm.  Oothout, 
Claas  Veeder. 

1787. 

Joseph  Yates, 

Jacob  Fonda. 
1 788. 

Nicolaas  Van  der  Volgen, 

Jacobus  Bratt. 
1789 

Claas  Veeder, 

Cornelis  Van  Dyck. 


*  Nov.  I  A7ttw  1784. — "Jacobus  Teller  een  onser  Medebroeders,  wegens 
noodtsakelyke  besighede  sig  op  wegh  naar  D'  Troit  begeven  hebbende  is  in 
het  begin  van  dit  najaar  aan  de  Grand  Rivier  op  het  Lake  Erie  tot  onse  en 
des  Gemeentensgrootedroefheitongelukkiglyke  doorde  Indianen  Vermoort.' 

— Consistory  Minutes. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


251 


Diaconen. 

•John  B.  Vrooinan, 
Johannes  Toll. 

Claas  Hall, 
Gerrit  S.  Veeder. 

Simon  J.  Van  Antwerpen, 
Nicolaas  Vedcler. 

Bernardus  F.  Schermerhorn, 
Carel  Hansen  Toll. 

Maas  Van  Vranken, 
Gerrit  Van  Antwerpen. 

Corn:  Van  Santvoord, 
Johannes  A.  Vedder. 

Peter  Van  Guyseling, 
Harmen  Wessels. 

Jellis  Jac:  Fonda, 
Corn  :  Christiaanse. 

John  P.  Truex, 
Jesse  Peek. 

Flendrikus  Yates,  Jr., 
Volkert  D.  Oothout. 

John  Jas:  Yates, 

John  Jac :  Schermerhorn. 

Jacob  Swits, 
Jellis  A.  Fonda. 

John  N.  Marselis, 
Jacob  S  Schermerhorn. 


Ouderlingen. 
1790. 

Andries  Truax, 

Cornells  Vrooman. 
1791. 

Abraham  Oothout, 

Thomas  B.  Bancker. 
1792. 

Abraham  Swits, 

Frederick  Clute. 
1793. 

Arent  S.  Veeder, 

Johannes  Van  Petten. 
1794. 

Coi-n  :  Adn.  Van  Slyck, 

Jacobus  Clute. 
1795. 

Claas  Veeder, 

Lancaster  Connor. 
1796. 

Nic:  Van  der  Volgen, 

Johannes  Peek. 

1797. 

Abraham  Oothout, 

Arent  A.  Vedder. 
1798. 

John  S.  Glen, 

Carel  H.  Toll 
1799. 

Thomas  B.  Bancker, 

Gerrit  S.  Veeder. 
1800. 

Nicolaas  Hall, 

Johannes  Myndertse. 
1801. 

Claas  Veeder, 

Jesse  D.  DeGraaf. 
1802. 

Abraham  Oothout, 

Nicolaas  Vedder. 


2o2 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Diaconcn. 

John  N.  V'eeder, 
Josias  Swart. 

Johannes  F.  Cliite, 
Jeremiah  I'^uller. 

Abraham  DeGraaf, 
Isaac  J.  DeGraaf. 

James  V.  S.  Ryley, 
Joseph  C.  Yates. 

John  Is.  Peek, 
Peter  F.  Veeder. 

Joseph  Peek, 
Peter  C.  Van  Slyck. 

David  Vander  Heyden, 
Douwe  Clute. 


Aaron  Vrooman, 
David  Pruyme. 

Gerrit  Bensen, 
Jacob  I.  Clute. 

Aaron  Van  Antwerp, 
Jno.  Baptist  J.  Van  Eps. 

Isaac  DeGraaf, 
Rudolph  Van  Husen. 


Ouderlingen. 
1803. 

Arent  S.  Veeder, 
Maas  Van  Vranken. 
1804. 

F'rancis  Vender, 

John  Sanders. 
1805. 

Corn :  Van  Santvoort, 

John  Yates. 
1806. 

Jellis  J.  Fonda, 

Simon  J.  Van  Antwerp. 
1807. 

Adam  S.  Vrooman, 

Jacob  Swits. 
1808. 

Gerrit  Van  Antwerp, 

Maas  Van  Vranken. 
1809. 

John  A.  Vedder, 

John  N.  Marselis, 

John  Veeder.  * 
1810. 

John  James  Schermerhorn, 

James  V.  S.  Ryley. 
1811. 

John  I.  Peek,  ^^ 

Corn :  C  Christiaanse. 
1812. 

Abraham  Oothout, 

Gerrit  S.  Veeder. 
1813. 

Maas  Van  Vranken, 

Jacob  Swits. 


*  chosen  in  place  of  John  A.  Vedder  deceased. 


PIISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


2o.'J 


Deacons. 

Cornelius  Clute, 
Abraham  Oothont,  Jr. 


Maas  Schermerhorn, 
John  Quackenbos. 

Peter  Brouwer, 
Zeger  Van  Sautvoord. 

Alexander  G.  Fonda, 
Peter  I.  Clute. 

Cornells  S.  Groot, 
John  S.  Vrooman. 

Philip  Van  Vorst, 
John  H.  Moyston. 

Adrian  Van  Santvoord, 
Daniel  S.  DeGraaf. 

Myndert  Van  der  Volgen, 
John  B.  Clute. 

Oliver  Ostrora, 
Jacob  C.  Consaul. 

Bartholomew  Schermerhorn, 
Harraanus  Van  Housen. 

Albert  Vedder, 
John  H.  Brooks. 


Elders 
1814. 

Corn:  Z.  Van  Santvoord. 

Jacob  S.  Schermerhorn,  * 

Arent  Vrooman, 

John  J.  Peek. 
1815. 

John  N.  Marselis. 

Jeremiah  Fuller. 
1816. 

Abraham  Oothout, 

Gerrit  Bensen. 
1817. 

Rudolph  Van  Husen, 

Jacob  I.  Clute. 
1818. 

Maas  Schermerhorn, 

James  V.  S.  Ryley. 
1819. 

Maas  Schermerhorn, 

Cornells  Clute. 
1820. 

David  Vander  Heyden, 

Abraham  Oothout. 
1821. 

M  aas  Schermerhorn, 

Philip  Van  Vorst. 
1822. 

Corn  :  Z.  Van  Santvoord, 

Maas  Van  Vranken. 
1823. 

Myndert  Van  der  Volgen, 

Cornelius  S.  Groot. 
1824. 

John  N.  Marselis, 

Gerrit  S.  Veeder. 


*  Jacob  S.  Schermerhorn  died  and  on  January  29th,  1814,  Arent  Vrooman 
was  chosen  in  his  place  ;  the  latter  died  and  March  12th,  1S15,  John  J.  Peek 
was  appointed  elder. 


254 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Deacons. 

John  J.  Vedder, 
Robert  Moyston, 
Albert  Vedder, 
Jolm  H.  Brooks. 

Joseph  Florsfall, 
Daniel  S.  DeGraaf, 
Jacob  J.  Vedder, 
Robert  Moyston. 

Oliver  Ostrom, 
Jacob  DeForeest,  Jr.. 
Joseph  Tlorsfall, 
Daniel  S.  DeGraaf. 

Giles  F.  Yates, 
Wm,  B.  Scherraerhorn, 
Jacob  DeForest,  Jr., 
Oliver  Ostrom. 

John  G.  Van  Voast, 
John  G.  Veeder, 
Giles  F.  Yates, 
Wm.  B.  Schermerhorn. 

Daniel  S.  DeGraaf, 
Sebastian  Vrooman, 
John  G.  Van  Voast, 
John  G.  Veeder. 

Wm.  Schermerhorn, 
John  I.  Vedder, 
Daniel  S.  DeGraaf, 
Sebastian  Vrooman. 


Elders. 
1825.  * 

Bartholomew  Schermerhorn, 

Jacob  I.  Clute, 

John  N.  Marselis, 

Gerrit  S.  Veeder. 
1826. 

Jacob  Swnts, 

James  V.  S.  Ryley, 

Bartholomew  Schermerhorn, 

Jacob  J.  Clute. 
1827. 

Myndert  Vander  Volgen, 

Gerrit  Bensen, 

Jacob  Swits, 

J  ames  V.  S.  Ryley. 
1828. 

Maas  Schermerhorn, 

Jeremiah  Fuller, 

Myndert  Vander  Volgen, 

Gerrit  Bensen. 
1829. 

Peter  I.  Clute, 

Adrian  Van  Santvoord, 

Maas  Schermerhorn, 

Jeremiah  Fuller. 
1830. 

Rudol[)h  Van  Housen, 

Oliver  Ostrom, 

Peter  I  Clute, 

Adrian  Van  Santvoord, 

1821. 
Jacob  I.  Clute, 
Alexander  G.  Fonda, 
Rudolph  Van  Housen, 
Oliver  Ostrom. 


*  After  this  dale  all  the  members  of  the  Consistory  are  named. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Deacons. 

Nicholas  Van  Vranken, 
John  P.  Swits, 
Wm.  Scliermerhorn, 
John  J.  Vedder. 

Barent  J.  ]Mynderse, 
Frederic  T.  Tupper, 
Nicholas  Van  Vranken, 
John  P.  Swits. 

Nicholas  Swits, 
Abraham  G.  Veeder, 
Barent  J.  Myuderse, 
Freder.c  T.  Tupper. 

Jacob  M.  Vedder, 
John  Davis, 
Nicholas  Swits, 
Abraham  G.  Veeder. 

James  A.  Van  Vorst, 
John  Holliday, 
Jacob  M.  Vedder, 
John  Davis. 

Duncan  McDonald, 
Daniel  Nellis, 
James  A.  Van  Vorst, 
John  Holliday. 

John  B.  Schermerhorn, 
Jonas  Holland, 
Duncan  McDonald, 
Daniel  Nellis. 

Nicholas  Yates, 
Simon  C  Groot, 
John  B.  Schermerhorn, 
Jonas  Holland. 


Elders. 


1832. 

Gerrit  Bcnsen, 

Joseph  Hoi"sfall, 

Jacob  S.  Clute, 

Alexander  G.  Fonda 
1833. 

John  B.  Clute, 

Peter  I.  Clute, 

Gerrit  Benson, 

Joseph  Horsfall. 
1834. 

Wni.  B.  Schermerhorn. 

John  G.  Van  Vorst, 

John  B.  Clute, 

Pfter  I.  Clute.  * 
1835. 

Joseph  Horsfall, 

Peter  Brouwer, 

Wm.  B.  Schermerhorn, 

John  G.  Van  Voast. 
1836. 

James  V.  S.  Ryley, 

Daniel  S.  DeGraaf, 

Joseph  Horsfall, 

Peter  Brouwer. 
1837. 

Nicholas  Van  Vranken. 

Barent  J.  Myndei*se, 

James  V.  S.  Ryley, 

Daniel  S.  DeGraaf. 
1838. 

Jacob  I.  Clute, 

John  G.  Van  Voast, 

Nicholas  Van  Vranken, 

Barent  J.  Mynderse. 
1839. 

John  B.  Clute, 
John  G.  Veeder, 

Jacob  I  Clute, 
John  G.  Van  Voast. 


HISTOKV  OFTIIK  CIirUCH. 


Deacons. 

IV'ter  J.  Wemple, 
Caspar  F.  Iloajx- 
Nicholas  Yates, 
Simon  C  Groot. 

Thomas  Houston, 
John  McXce, 
Peter  .1 .  Wemple, 
Caspar  F.  Iloag. 

Francis  Van  de  Bogart, 
Henry  Ramsay, 
Tliomas  Houston, 
John  McNee. 

Christopher  Reagles, 
William  Van  Vranken, 
Francis  Van  de  Bogart, 
Henry  Ramsay. 

Bartholomew  Tymeseu, 
George  Wagner,  Jr., 
Christojiher  Reagles, 
Wm.  Van  Vranken. 

John  McXee, 
John  Van  Santvoord, 
Bartholomew  T^'raesen, 
George  Wagner,  Jr. 

B.  Teller  Schermerhorn, 
George  Anderson, 
John  McNee, 
John  Van  Santvoord. 

G.  W.  Wiune, 
Otis  Smith, 
B.  T.  Schermerhorn, 
George  Anderson. 


Elders. 
ISIO. 

Adrian  Van  Santvoord, 

Oliver  Ostrom, 

John  1).  Clute, 

John  G.  \'eeder. 
1841. 

Cornelius  S.  Groot, 

Abraham  Veeder, 

Adrian  Van  Santvoord, 

Oliver  Ostrom. 
1842. 

Caspar  C.  Ham, 

John  P.  Swits, 

Cornelius  S.  Groot, 

Abraham  Veeder. 
1843. 

Wm.  B.  Schermerhorn, 

Peter  J.  W^emple, 

Caspar  C.  Ham, 

John  P.  Swits. 
1844. 

Gerrit  Bensen, 

Nicholas  Yates, 

W^m.  B.  Schermerhorn, 

Peter  J.  Wemple. 
1845. 

John  G.  Van  Voast, 

Caspar  F.  Hoag. 

Gerrit  Bensen, 

Nicholas  Yates. 
1846. 

Duncan  McDonald, 

Nicholas  Swits, 

John  G.  Van  Voast, 

Caspar  F.  Hoag. 
1847. 

Peter  I.  Clute, 

Barent  J.  Mynderse, 

Duncan  McDonald, 

Nicholas  Swits. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


257 


Deacons. 

Charles  A.  Lee, 
James  Van  Kuren, 
G.  W.  Winnce, 
Otis  Smith. 

Ernestus  Putman, 
Alexander  J.  Van  Eps, 
Charles  A.  Lee, 
James  Van  Kuren. 

John  Erkson, 
Francis  J.  Van  de  Bogart, 
Ernestus  Putman, 
Alexander  J.  Van  Eps. 

Daniel  Vedder, 

F.  N.  Wetmore, 

•J  ohn  Erkson, 

Francis  J.  Van  de  Bogart. 

Frederic  N.  Clute, 
Jacob  F.  Clute, 
Daniel  Vedder, 
F.  N.  Wetmore. 


Abraham  Vrooman, 
Ernestus  Putman, 
Frederic  N.  Clute, 
Jacob  F.  Clute. 

Charles  S.  Vedder, 
George  S.  Hardin, 
Abraham  Vrooman, 
Ernestus  Putman. 

Daniel  Vedder, 
George  Wagoner, 
Charles  S.  Vedder, 
George  S.  Hardin. 


Elders. 
1848. 

Adrian  Van  Santvoord, 

Simon  C.  Groot, 

Peter  L  Clute, 

Barent  J.  Mynderse. 
1849. 

William  Van  Vranken, 

Stei)hen  H.  Johnson. 

Adrian  Van  Santvoord, 

Simon  C.  Groot. 
1850. 

Peter  J.  Wemple, 

Nicholas  Yates, 

William  Van  Vranken, 

Stephen  H.  Johnson. 
1851. 

Caspar  C.  Ham, 

Casper  F.  Hoag, 

Peter  J.  Wemple, 

Nicholas  Yates. 
1852. 

Otis  H.  Smith, 

Abraham  Veeder, 

Caspar  C.  Ham,  (resigned). 

Casper  F.  Hoag, 

John  G.  Van  Voast(vice  Ham). 
1853. 

Christopher  Reagles, 

Simon  C.  Groot, 

Otis  Smith, 

Abraham  Veeder. 
1854. 

Alexander  G.  Fonda, 

Gideon  Moore, 

Christopher  Reagles, 

Simon  C.  Groot. 
1855. 

Wm.  B.  Schermerhorn, 

Oliver  Ostrom, 

Alexander  G.  Fonda, 

Gideon  Moore. 

33 


258 


HIST015V  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Deacons. 
Ira  Van  Pelt, 
Charles  Yates, 
Daniel  Vedder, 
(.ireorge  Wagoner. 

Chas.  N.  Yates. 
Ira  Van  Pelt, 
John  McXee, 
Chas.  S.  Vedder. 

John  McNee, 
C.  S.  Vedder, 
T.  B.  :\Iitehell, 
Daniel  Vedder. 

Daniel  Vedder, 
T.  B.  Mitchell, 
Aaron  liarringer, 
Daniel  M.  Kittle, 

Aaron  Barringer, 
Daniel  M.  Kittle. 
T.  H.  Reeves, 
II.  Van  Vechten  Clute. 

T.  H.  Reeves, 
H.  Van  Vechten  Clute, 
AV>raham  Vrooman, 
Chas.  Yates. 

Abraham  Vrooman. 
Chas.  Yates, 

Joseph  G.  Van  Debogeit, 
Chas.  E.  Angle. 

Joseph  G.  Van  Debogert, 
Chas.  E.  Angle, 
Abram.  Doty, 
Jacob  V.  Vrooman. 


I806. 

Elders. 

Duncan  McDonald, 

Bartho.  Teller  Schennerhoni. 

Wm.  B.  ISchermerhoni. 

Oliver  Ostrom. 
1857. 

B.  T.  Schermerhorn, 

Duncan  McDonald, 

Nicholas  Swits, 

Jacob  T.  Clute. 
1858. 

Nicholas  Swits, 

Jacob  T.  ('lute, 

Nicholas  Van  Vranken, 

John  G.  Van  Voast. 
1859. 

Nicholas  Van  Vranken, 

John  G.  Van  Voast, 

Casper  F.  Hoag, 

Ernest  Putman. 
1860. 

Casper  F.  Hoag, 

Ernest  Putman, 

Thos.  B.  Mitchell, 

Jacob  T.  Clute. 
1871. 

T.  B.  Mitchell, 

Jacob  T.  Clute, 

Simon  C.  Groot, 

Daniel  Vedder. 
1862. 

Simon  C.  Groot, 

Daniel  Vedder, 

Nicholas  Swits, 

Casper  F.  Hoag. 
1863. 

Nicholas  Swits, 

Casper  F.  Hoag, 

Ernestus  Putman, 

Thos.  B.  Mitchell. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


259 


Deacons. 

Abrara  Doty, 
Jacob  V.  Vrooraan, 
T.  H.  Reeves, 
Nicholas  Cain. 

T.  H.  Reeves, 

Nicholas  Cain, 
Martin  DeForest, 
James  H.  Barhyte. 

Martin  DeForest, 
James  H.  Barhyte, 
Beuj.  L.  Conde, 
Daniel  M.  Kittle. 

Benj.  L.  Conde, 
Daniel  M.  Kittle, 
A.  T.  Veeder, 
John  W.  Veeder. 

A.  T.  Veeder, 
John  W.  Veeder, 
Wm.  Schermerhorn, 
Jacob  V.  Vrooman. 

Wm.  K.  Schermerhorn, 
Jacob  V.  Vrooman, 
Dmican  Robinson, 
James  H.  Barhyte. 

Duncan  Robinson, 
James  H.  Barhyte, 
John  Westinghouse, 
Wm.  Van  Dermore. 

John  Westinghouse, 
Wm,  Van  Dermore, 
Abram.  H.  Van  Vrankeu, 
Andrew  T.  Veeder. 


Elders. 
1864. 

Ernestus  Putman, 
Thos.  B.  Mitchell, 
John  G.  Van  Voast, 
Daniel  Vedder. 
1865. 

John  G.  Van  Voast, 
Daniel  Vedder, 
Wm.  Van  Vranken, 
Casper  F.  Hoag. 
1866. 

Wm.  Van  Vranken, 
Casper  F.  Hoag, 
Thomas  B.  Mitchell, 
Abram.  Vrooman. 
1867. 

Thos.  B.  Mitchell, 
Abram.  Vrooman, 
Duncan  McDonald, 
Abram.  Doty. 
1868. 

Duncan  McDonald, 
Abram  Doty. 
Jacob  F.  Clute, 
T.  H.  Reeves. 
1869. 

Jacob  F.  Clute, 
T.  H.  Reeves, 
Nicholas  Cain. 
Casper  F.  Hoag. 
1870. 

Nicholas  Cain, 
Casper  F.  Hoag, 
Thos.  B.  Mitchell, 
John  Van  Derveer. 
1871. 
Thos.  B.  Mitchell, 
John  Van  Derveer, 
John  DcNee. 
Daniel  Vedder. 


•JOO 


HISTORY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Deacons. 

Alii'aiii.  1 1.  \  ail  N'raiikiMi, 
Aiidri'W  T.  \  I'l'ilt'i'. 
E.  Nott  Sc'lK'niicrliorn, 
James  Milmiiie. 

E.  Nott  Scliermerlioni. 
James  Milmine, 
Jonas  [I.  CI  lite, 
Richard  Marcellus. 

Jonas  II.  Clute, 
Richard  Marcellus, 
Geo.  H.  Doty, 
Harmoxi  Consaul. 

Geo.  H.  Doty, 
Harmon  Consaul, 
James  H.  Barhyte, 
John  Westinghouse. 

James  H.  Barhyte, 
John  Westinghouse, 
Albert  Van  Voast, 
Alex.  Thompson. 

Albert  Van  Voast, 
.\lex.  Thompson, 
Harmon  Consaul, 
C.  E.  Kingsl)erry. 

FTarman  Consaul, 
C.  E.  Kingsberry, 
Albert  Van  Voast,  Jr., 
Andrew  T.  Veeder. 

Albert  Van  Voast,  Jr., 
Andrew  T.  Veeder, 
Wm.  Van  Dermore, 
J.  W.  Clute. 

Wm.  Van  Dermore, 
J.  W.  Clute, 
Welton  Stanford, 
Jonas  Hallenbeck. 


Elders. 


1872. 

John  McNee, 
Daniel  Vedder, 
B.  L.  Conde, 
Daniel  Kittle. 

1878. 

K  L.  Conde, 
Daniel  Kittle, 
Duncan  R()l)iiison, 
Abram  Vrooman. 

1874. 

Duncan  Robinson, 
Abram.  Vrooman 
Duncan  McDonald, 
Casper  F.  Hoag. 

1875. 

Duncan  McDonald, 
Casi)er  F.  Hoag, 
T.  H.  Reeves, 
J.  V.  Vrooman. 

1876. 

T.  H.  Reeves, 
J.  V.  Vrooman, 
Jonas  H.  Clute, 
Daniel  Vedder. 

1877. 

Jonas  H.  Clute, 
Daniel  Vedder, 
Duncan  Robinson, 
J.  Westinghouse. 

1 878. 

Duncan  Robinson, 
J.  Westinghouse, 
John  Van  Derveer, 
T.  H.  Reeves. 

1879. 

John  Van  Derveer, 
T.  (1.  Reeves, 
Cornelius  Lansing, 
J.  V.  Vrooman. 

1880. 

Cornelius  Lansing, 
J.  V.  Vrooman, 
Wm.  Van  Vranken, 
John  Westinijhouse. 


INDEX.  261 

INDEX. 


Albany,  59,  67. 

Andros,  Governor,  63,  64,  65. 

Antwerp,  37,  51. 

Archives.     Sec  Records. 

Banker  screen,  19. 

Baptism,  8,  38,  41,  52,  80,  94,  194,  195. 

Barclay,  Rev.  Thomas,  39,  74,  85. 

Bell,  8,  41,  42,  52,  97. 

Beukendal.     See  Massacre  of  1 748. 

Bibliography,  75,  80,  107,  137,  138,    139,  154. 

Bi-centennial  celebration,  7. 

Bogardus,  Rev.  Cornelius,  48,  134,  135,  137. 

Bride's  door,  7,  20,  155. 

Brouwer,  Rev.  Thomas,  39,  40,  86. 

Burying-grounds.      See  Cemeteries, 

Calls,  text  of,  111-113,  129-132. 

Charter,  98-105. 

Church  money,  193. 

Cemeteries,  14,  15,  59,  40,  84,  167-171,  177. 

Classis,  the  First  in  America,  36. 

"        of  Amsterdam,  65,  66. 

"        of  Schenectady,  44,  45,  52,  55. 
Cock  of  St.  Nicholas.     See  Vane. 
Coetus,  40,  79,  117. 
College.     See  Union  College. 
Committees,  6,  28,  39, 
Communion,  52. 
Consistorial  minutes,  55. 
Corwin,  Rev.  E.  T.,  7,  35. 
Deacons,  102,  241-258. 
Dellius,  Rev.  Godfrey,  37,  68. 
Dimersions  of  5th  church  edifice,  155. 
Dixon,  Rev.  Alexander,  143. 

Documents.     See  Records.  • 

Doolittle,  Rev.  T.  S.,  7. 
Dortrecht,  37,  43,  56. 
Dutch  Language,  46. 

"      Settlers,  31-34. 
Edifices — First,  7,  17,  35,  36,  62,  63,    171. 

"  Second,  17,  39,  80-84,  146. 

'•  Third,  18,  20,  40,  41,  42,  48,  94,  96,  147,  197. 

"  Fourth,  18,  48,  146-148. 

"  Fifth,  7,  50,  51,  152-157. 

Eenkluys,  Hans  Janse.     See  Poor  Pashire. 


202  INDEX. 


Elders,  102,  241-258. 

Endowments,  170-179. 

English  Language,  preaching,  125-128,  46. 

Erichzoii,  Rev.  Reinhart,  18,  40,  86-105. 

Finances,  179-C93. 

Fire  of  186 1,  25,  42,  49,  50,  150. 

Flags;  8,  10.  46. 

Foot-stoves,  41,  95. 

Forefather's  door,  7,  19. 

Freeman,  Rev.  Bernardus,  17,  37,  69-80,  85. 

Funerals,  163. 

Great  Consistory,  5,  10,  13. 

Griffis,  Rev.  Wm.  Elliot,    10.  14,  52,  145. 

Holland.     See  Dutch,  32,  33. 

Hour-glass,  8,  13,  41,  52. 

Indians,  (See  also  Mohawks,)  36;  37,  38,  39,  43,   48,  58,  74. 

Inscriptions,  7,  19,  20,  155,  156. 

Labadists,  35,  36. 

Lawrence,  Rev.  E.  C. ,  10,  26. 

Leases,  176,  237-241. 

Lewis,  Taylor,  18. 

Leyden,  32,  36. 

Lists.     See  Elders,  Deacons,  Pews,  etc. 

Lovelace,  Governor,  59,  174. 

Lydius,  Rev.  Johannes.  73,  74,  85. 

Marriages,  (See  Statistics,)  8,  38,  52,  194. 

Massacre  of  1690,  14,  17,  36,  37.  59,  67. 

Massacre  of  1748,  21,  43. 

Meier,  Rev.  I.  H.,  37,  121.  123,  129-  134,  137. 

Memberships,   194,    195. 

Memorial  Tablet,  12,  36. 

Memorial  Exhibition,  16,   17,  18, 

Mill,  and  mill  pasture,    175. 

Missionary  -.vork,  37,  38,  39,  73. 

Mission  Schools,  52,  145. 

Mohawks,  17,  33.  37,  73,  80. 

Mohawk  River,  34,  G7. 

Mohawk  valley.  .  Game,  34.     Howers,  19.      Products,  20, 

Monument  on  State  Street,  14,  15,  40,  84,   146,  177. 

Monuments,    169,  170. 

New  Castle,  63,  64. 

New  Netherlands,  55,  59. 

New  Year's  greeting,  22. 

Niskayuna,  44,  57. 

Niskayuna  patent,  178 

Nott,  Rev.  Eliphalet,  49,  148. 

Palisades,  34,  34,  43,  57,  67. 

Papers.     See  Records. 


INDEX.  263 


Paper  Currency,  193. 

Parsonages,  44,  35,  48,  62,  63,   150. 

Pastors.     See  names  of,  9. 

Pearson,  Prof.  J.,  35,  45. 

Pelican  feeding  her  young,  8,  32. 

Pews,  41,  48,  94,  95,  199-237 

Pine  trees,  34. 

Poor  Pasture,  56,  59,  60,  172-174,  179,  183. 

Potter,  Edward  Tuckerman,  18,  50,  15a- 156,   159. 

Potter,  Rev.  Eliphalet  Nott,  10. 

Princeton  patent,  177. 

Pulpit,  8,  19,  41,  93 

Records,  22,  42,  44,  45,  55. 

Romevn,   Rev.   Dirck,  9,    15,  36,   39,   40,  45,  46,  47,  51,   117  128,  137. 

Sabbath  School,  27,  52. 

Salaries,  76,  77,  87,  115,  119,  132,  134,  160,  162. 

Schaets,  Rev.  Gideon,  35,  37,  59,  60. 

Schenectady,  2>t,,  34,  37,  57;  58,  67,  85. 

Schenectady  Academy,  15,  47,    1 19. 

Scotch  element  in  the  church,  12. 

Seal,  42,  100. 

Seelye,  Rev.  Edward  E.,  50,  140,  141,  159. 

Seelye,  Rev.   Julius,  23,  50,  139,  140. 

Sexton,  Klokluyer,  161 -167. 

Sickles,  Rev.  Jacob,  46,  120,    129. 

Stanton,  Rev.  H.  C,  22,   25. 

Statistics,  39,  43,  44,  46,  48,  49.  52,  ^9.  80,  85,  86,  87,  95,  117,  135,    137, 

Stoves  41,  95,  96.  [•94,   195- 

Stuyvesant,  Governor,  56. 

Symbolism,  8,  19. 

Subscription  Lists — Third  Edifice,  89-93. 

"  "         Fourth       "       146 

Tablet,  12,  158,  159. 

Tassemaker,  Rev.  Petrus,  35,  36,  fio,  63-69. 
Taylor,  Rev.  W.  J.  R.,  10,  15,  15,  22,  49,  50,  138,  139. 
Thesschenmaecker.      See  Tassemaker. 
Tortoise,  the  Mohawk  totem,  8,  17,  33,   38. 
Union  College,  15,  27,  45,  46,  47,  48,  49,  52,  119. 
Vander  Volgen,  Nicholas,  48,  148-151. 
Vane,  41,  44,   51. 
Van  Curler,  Arent,  27,  33,  34,  57. 
Van  Derwart,  Rev.  Herman,  14. 
Van  Santvoord,  Rev.  Cornells,  12,  42,  43,  106,  107. 
Van  Santvoord,  Rev.  Staats.   10,  12,  15,   16. 
Van  Vechten,  Rev.  Jacob,  49,  155,  139. 
Vedder,  Rev.  Cliarles  E.,  10,  11. 
Vermilye,  Rev.  Ashbel  G.,  24,  51,  52,  144. 
Voetius,  Prof.,  35,  36. 


264 


INDEX. 


Voor-lezer,  I2,  14,  35,  160,  161. 

Voor-zanger,  12,  14. 

Vrooman,  Adam,  44,  109. 

Vrooman,  Rev.  Barent,  44,  51,  108,  109- 11 7. 

Wortman.  Rev.  Denis,  22,  51,  142-144. 

Vates,  Rev.  Andrew,  18,  49,  148. 

Vates,  Governor,  47. 


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(Third  Edition,  1879.  pp.  676.) 
r.v    Ki;v.   Kdwaui)  T.   Couwin,   D.    J)..    .Millslonc,    X.    J. 

This  volmiu' rs  iiiiiinu'  in  (li'iiomiiialional  litci'.'ilurc.  It  covers 
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